JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WCTV) – A Wakulla County man was arrested after allegedly driving to Jacksonville, Florida to meet with who he thought was a child, according to the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office. <\/p>\n
Richard Lynn Simmons, Jr., 36, is charged with using his cellphone and the internet to attempt to entice an 11-year-old child to engage in sexual activity. <\/p>\n
According to court records, an undercover FBI agent in Jacksonville, FL conducted an operation using an online social media app to find adults who were trying to make contact and engage in sexual activity with children. <\/p>\n
More on crime in our area: <\/b><\/p>\n
The undercover agent was posing as the parent of an underage child and exchanged several private messages with Simmons. The agent told Simmons he \u201chad access to an 11-year-old child.\u201d <\/p>\n
Records show Simmons described the specific sexual acts he wanted to perform on the child via text message to the agent. He also made several phone calls and messages about his travel plans and desire to meet the child. <\/p>\n
Simmons drove to Jacksonville where he was arrested by FBI agents on January 6, according to the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
If convicted, Simmons faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a potential lifetime term of supervised release.<\/p>\n
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