DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a Florida man caught in an underage sex sting told deputies he only came to the meeting place because he thought it would be cool to see an undercover sting in action.
A Volusia County Sheriff’s Office release says 34-year-old James Bowen is one of seven men who experienced firsthand how “cool” the agency’s operation to catch internet predators was last week.
Despite his claims of innocence, officials say Bowen faces charges for showing up at a Deltona gas station following sexually charged chats and texts with an undercover detective he believed was a 14-year-old girl.
The operation ran from Wednesday to Sunday, with suspects ranging in age from 22-49.
Bowen was held on $40,000 bail. Jail records didn’t list an attorney.
