A 23-year-old Indiana man, Spencer Tomlinson, has been arrested and charged with soliciting a child for sex after engaging in an online sexual relationship with a 12-year-old in Florida.
The investigation began in April 2024 when the child’s legal guardian discovered concerning emails on their phone and reported them to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. These emails were between the child and Tomlinson.
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Following a search warrant served to Google in May, investigators found explicit conversations and images exchanged between Tomlinson and the victim, confirming the sexual nature of their relationship.
Tomlinson was arrested in Indiana on August 15th and extradited to Walton County, Florida on August 25th.
He faces charges of online solicitation of a minor for sex and using a communication device to facilitate a felony. He is currently in jail on a $50,000 bond.
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“We applaud the diligence of the guardian who took it upon themselves to check the victim’s phone and other devices,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We encourage parents to talk to their children about the dangers of online relationships and interacting with people you don’t know on the internet.”
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