A 22-year-old man is in custody after police say he allegedly arranged via the Internet to meet a 14-year-old girl at a local church to engage in sexual activities with her.
James Ross, 22, of Pahrump was arrested for luring a child with a computer after Nye County Sheriff’s detectives received information that he had allegedly arranged for a young female to sneak out of her home and meet him at the LDS church located near the intersection of Wilson Road and West Street.
On Monday detectives went to the church to follow up on information that Ross was going to meet the 14-year-old female there. Detectives were then able to make contact with Ross when he arrived at the location.
When police questioned Ross about what he was doing at the LDS church, he allegedly told officers he was supposed to be meeting a female there. He denied, however, having any plans to do anything inappropriate with her.
Ross then allegedly gave officers permission to search his cell phone.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, during their search detectives reportedly discovered a Facebook message between Ross and a female Facebook user on the phone, in which the female allegedly told Ross she was 14 years old.
Police stated it was evident from the conversation that Ross had intended to have the 14-year-old female sneak out of her residence to meet him so he could have sex with her.
Ross was subsequently placed under arrest for the alleged offense and transported to the Nye County Detention Center to be booked into custody. His bail was set at $20,000 cash or bond.
As of Tuesday morning, Ross remained in custody at the local jail.