Note: An earlier version of this story contained a factual error. A source for this story was incorrectly identified as part of a group involved in the investigation. We apologize for the error.
BYHALIA, Miss. – A Memphis man was arrested in Byhalia, Mississippi after police say he thought he was meeting a 14-year-old girl for sex.
James Melvin Anderson, 51, is charged with enticement of a child to meet for sexual purposes and enticement of a child to produce visual depiction of sexual conduct.
Related: Mississippi man charged with sex crime involving a child after citizen’s group launches investigation
Screenshots of Facebook messages show that the man police identified as Anderson began chatting with the fake 14-year-old in September.
Det. Victoria Jackson with the Byhalia Police Department said Anderson began sending graphic photos of himself and requesting nude photos of the girl in return, along with several explicit requests.
In one message he wrote, “I was just hoping to see your amazing body.”
In another he asks, “Would it be bad if I wanted to see you in your undies?”
Messages show Anderson arranging to meet the girl in Byhalia. At one point he asks if her underage friend could join them.
After expressing concern he could be accused of a crime, he writes to the decoy, “I do have all the text that proves it’s consental [sic].”
Police say they were waiting for Anderson when he arrived in Byhalia on Thursday evening and placed him under arrest.
After first he denied everything, but detectives say Anderson eventually confessed.
Police say they’re now setting their sights on other suspected child predators.
Anderson is being held on a $500,000. He’s due in court Wednesday morning.
