Police: Online Ad To Sell Hoverboard Turns Into Attempt To Lure Teen For Sex
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PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami) – Lawrence Perry, 26, appeared in bond court Wednesday morning after his arrest by an undercover officer at a park in Pembroke Pines.
According to police, he admitted to trying to meet up with a 14-year-old girl after having conversations with her that were sexual in nature.
The two first met on November 9th when the teenager responded to Perry's online ad about a hoverboard for sale. He agreed to meet her at her home and following the encounter, investigators said Perry continued to text the girl, complimenting her on her body and talking inappropriately, even after she told him she was uncomfortable and that the conversations were "scary" to her.
"He began sending her some explicit photos of himself at which time she notified her parents and parents contacted police," said Pembroke Pines Police Department Capt. Al Xiques.
She reportedly told him to stop, that she was just 14 and he was scaring her. When her parents got wind of it – police got involved.
A few days later, an undercover officer posed as the girl and contacted Perry via text. Perry sent the undercover detective inappropriate messages and pictures before agreeing to meet at Maxwell Park.
"A detective was able to get involved and pose as the child on the computer and meet was arraigned where he wanted to meet her in order to have sex with the young lady," said Capt. Xiques.
When he arrived, he was told to enter the men's bathroom for some "privacy" but was instead met by officers and arrested.
Police said Perry confessed to going to "meet a child" and said he knew his actions were wrong. He told law enforcement his fiancée was pregnant with their third child and had been acting "hormonal," which made him seek a sexual relationship elsewhere.
He faces several charges related to using a computer to lure a child.
While Perry is banned from the Internet, police warn there are many more dangerous people around so parents must take an active role.
"There are predators out there," said Capt. Xiques. "They are all throughout our community and if parents are not aware and in tune to what their children are doing on the Internet, these kinds of things can happen."