Facebook, the popular internet site, has been coming under attack for its failure to protect users of the site. An Indiana man was recently been charged with using Facebook to further his attempts to solicit two minor girls for improper purposes.
The investigation began on July 3 when the mother of one of the girls saw a photograph of the man on her daughter’s cell phone. The New Castle Police Department recently arrested the man for allegedly sending photographs of himself to the girls, whose ages are 12 and 13. The defendant is alleged to have used a Facebook group chat room that he created to facilitate contacting the girls. The police department report alleges that the photographs show the defendant either nude or partially undressed.
The girls told police that they became acquainted with the defendant in New Castle’s Arts Park several weeks prior to the arrest. The girls also told police that they told the defendant their correct ages. Police said that the defendant has been charged with child solicitation and four counts of dissemination of matter harmful to minors. All five charges are felonies.
The charges in this case are very serious, and if convicted, the defendant could be adjudicated a sex offender and required to register his residence with the state of Indiana. The defendant is, of course, innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Anyone facing similar charges may benefit from a consultation with an experienced criminal attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can provide a helpful evaluation of the evidence and, if appropriate, an estimate of the likelihood of obtaining a favorable plea agreement.