David Ray McSpadden, 30 |
RAINSVILLE, AL—
Investigators in DeKalb County have charged a man with enticing a child for immoral purposes after an undercover sting. The man had originally texted a 14-year-old girl, according to Sheriff Jimmy Harris, but after the initial contact, a sheriff's deputy took over the conversation with David Ray McSpadden.Sheriff Harris says School Resource Officer Deputy Scott Tarrant received information on Friday from the girl's mother, regarding sexually explicity text messages on the girl's cell phone. Sheriff Harris says the messagfes appeared to have come from McSpadden, 30, of Rainsville. McSpadden is reportedly a friend of the girl's friend.
McSpadden had commented through the messages that he wanted to meet with the girl, according to Sheriff Harris. Deputy Tarrant took the cell phone and continued texting with McSpadden as if he were the 14-year-old girl.
Through the text messages, McSpadden said he would come to the girl's home after he got off work. The girl's parents allowed officers to use their residence for a sting operation. Two deputies were inside the residence and two other undercover vehicles were in the neighborhood. When McSpadden arrived at the home, Deputy Jon Hill and Lt. Josh York arrested him.
Sheriff Harris says deputies found found several explicit text messages on McSpadden's phone, describing sexual acts. There were also nude photographs that McSpadden had taken of himself and sent to the girl.
McSpadden is charged with enticing a child for immoral purposes and dissemination of material harmful to minors. He is being held in the DeKalb County Jail, awaiting bond. Additional charges are possible.
"We continue to encourage parents to monitor their children's cell phone and computer use," said Sheriff Harris. "You just never know when someone might be inappropriately contacting them. There is no reason why we shouldn't stay informed about who our kids are talking to and what's going on in their lives."
