A U.S. Central Command employee is accused of trying to arrange a sexual rendezvous with an undercover agent he thought was a 14-year-old.
Philip Carl Olsen, 55, of Lithia, faces a charge of attempted enticement of a child for illegal sexual activity, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Investigators say they responded to a Craigslist ad Olsen posted soliciting sex with a man. An agent responded posing as a 14-year-old who “lives(s) on base w/my moms.”
The Craigslist ad authorities said Olsen posted under the name “Meyer” came with a “picture of an nude adult white male with an erect penis.”
Between Friday and Tuesday Olsen used a cellphone and computer to chat with the undercover officer, thinking it was the teenager, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
During the undercover investigation, agents said Olsen told the undercover agent he had a wife from whom he wanted to keep his text messages. He also said he was retired U.S. Air Force.
An affidavit says Olsen began sending naked pictures of men to the 14-year-old and even tried to assure the teen meeting up with him for sex was OK.
“I’ve never done this with someone as young as you,” a complaint report states. “I hope you don't think Im a pervert because i am so much older than you and want us to play with each other’s privates. You can trust me Danny. I would never hurt you in any way. This will be between you and me.”
ABC Action News went to Olsen’s Lithia home for comment. No one answered the door. Neighbors told us they just learned about Olsen’s arrest and are trying to support his wife in any way possible.
“We are giving her tons of support,” said a neighbor who didn't want to be identified. “We sympathize with his wife. This is a terrible time for her.”
Olsen was arrested on Tuesday after he met the teen on MacDill Air Force Base at what he believed was the child’s residence.
Before the meeting, the affidavit states Olsen was nervous about the encounter and wanted to change the location.
“OMG!! You have no idea how nervous I am too! Fitful sleep. I keep imagining I’m running into a sting operation to catch sexual predators! Ugh! I’m not a predator!”
