Reid v. The State

825 S.E.2d 555 (2019)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

An investigator with the Sheriff's Office placed an ad on Craigslist stating that he was a female and was “home alone bored.” D responded, “I am very much interested in hanging out. I'm a lot of fun to be around but will let you be the judge of that if you're interested. Hit me up and let's see what kind of fun we can get into.” The investigator replied that she was 15 years old, Reid stated, “[o]h wow, but you're only 15 though.” The investigator sent a photograph of a female deputy claiming it to be the girl. D sent a photograph of himself. They began exchanging text messages. D “constantly ask[ed] for nude photos of the child” and stated that he was a “horny old man.” D sent text messages to the investigator stating that the child was a “very attractive young lady” and that he was “really a lot older than [her],” D asked the investigator what kind of “fun” she liked and he replied, “I lik all kinds and mayb even new stuff.” D responded, “don't tease me girl.” D expressed concern t about being discovered by law enforcement and told her to “get rid of” all of their conversations so that a parent did not discover them. They arranged to meet at a gas station. D requested more revealing photos that showed more skin so that he would have something to look forward to. D stated, “[w]e can still play and get all worked up and be ready to have fun when I do make it up there” and that he wanted to “see [her] naked before I see you Friday, that'd also prove that you're serious.” D confirmed that the girl would be alone when they met and that he was “pretty excited” about meeting with her. D planned to go back to the child's house. The investigator observed a male in a Jeep pull into a parking space. The male sat in his vehicle for several minutes before backing up and attempting to leave the location. The investigator did a traffic stop on D and confirmed it was him and D admitted: “that he was coming to meet a female that he knew was underage.” D was indicted for criminal attempt to commit child molestation and two counts of computer pornography. D was convicted. D appealed.