A week-long undercover investigation by the Sebring Police Department has led to the arrest of a man who allegedly tried to meet an 11-year-old girl for sex.
Police have arrested Dustin Rowley, 25, of Sebring on charges of importuning after contacting an 11-year-old Alliance girl on Facebook and trying to set up a meeting to have sex with her.
According to police reports, the victim’s father notified police on Dec. 22 that a man was messaging his daughter on Facebook asking her to meet with him. The girl told Rowley she was 11 years old and Rowley allegedly replied that he was 25.
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The father told police he then began messaging the man, pretending to be his daughter, and the conversation turned sexual.
Police opened an investigation and began messaging Rowley for several days. On Dec. 30, Rowley asked to meet with the girl at his 1005 Lake Park Drive mobile home for sex.
Police sent a decoy to the home. When Rowley came to the door, he was arrested without incident.
According to the police report, officers asked Rowley if he knew why he was being arrested and he said no. The officer advised Rowley he was being arrested because, “You tried to ask an 11-year-old to come over and have sex.” Rowley then hung his head and did not say anything, the report stated.
Rowley’s mother allowed police to search the home where they confiscated a computer in a back bedroom.
Rowley appeared in Sebring Municipal Court on Thursday. His bond was set at $75,000 and he is to be placed on house arrest if he posts bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9.
