An Ellenton man has been arrested for traveling to meet a minor for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity after he reportedly texted a 14-year-old and solicited the child to engage in sexual activity after setting up a place and time to meet the victim.
From February 1 to February 9, Dennis Ferrant, 69, was text messaging a 14-year-old he knew personally. When he asked the victim for her phone number, she felt uncomfortable and gave him her mother's cell phone number. Ferrant then began texting the victim's mother, believing it was the victim. When the messages became inappropriate, the mother contacted the Bradenton Police Department.
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Detectives continued to communicate with Ferrant through undercover text messages.
On February 9, 2018, Ferrant reportedly solicited the child to engage in sexual activity and set up a predetermined location to meet the victim. Detectives met him at the location and took him into custody. Ferrant admitted to the crimes.
Ferrant was charged with the following:
- Traveling to Meet a Minor for the Purpose of Engaging in Illegal Activity – Second Degree Felony
- Sexual Performance of a Child – Second Degree Felony
- Attempted Sexual Performance of a Child – Second Degree Felony
- Attempted Lewd and Lascivious Battery – Second Degree Felony
- Transmission of Harmful Material to a Minor – Third Degree Felony
- Certain Uses of Computer Services or Devices Prohibited – Third Degree Felony
Ferrant was released from the Manatee County Jail on February 10th after posting a $120,000.
If you have any information regarding this case, please call Detective Kevin Bunch at 941-932-9380.
