SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — A Southaven man is accused of trying to have sex with a 14-year-old girl in Texas.
Federal investigators said Charles Hurt, 46, had been talking to what he thought was a teenage girl on the internet and phone for weeks, but it turns out, it was an undercover agent.
According to court records, the undercover agent and Hurt had sexually explicit conversations.
Hurt flew to Laredo, Texas this weekend to meet her and packed, “bondage equipment, sex toys and pornography.”
Special agents handcuffed him when he landed.
“It’s kind of disturbing. I see him cutting the yard all the time. I speak to him when I pass by,” said Shelbra Watkins.
She lives a couple of doors down from Hurt in Southaven.
“Very friendly. Really friendly guy,” said Watkins.
That’s why she and other neighbors say they were confused when they saw special agents raid his home this weekend.
“I saw about eight squad cars. I think four were unmarked cars. They pulled up to the house, and they all rushed to the door yelling FBI,” said Kimani McCullough, who recorded it on his phone.
No word what investigators were looking for.
No one came to Hurt’s door to explain either.
“Things like that don’t happen over here. Its quiet. It’s peaceful,” said Watkins.
Investigators said Hurt admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with the teen, but claimed his conversations were protected by freedom of speech.
He’s facing enticing a minor and is being held on a $75,000 bond.