A 24-year-old Mount Dora man was arrested early Monday morning after allegedly attempting to meet up with an Osceola detective posing as a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.
Gunner James Artibee of 4190 Pointsetta Ave. met and chatted with a 14-year-old girl, who was actually an Osceola detective, on MeetMe.com Thursday evening, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. Artibee then began communicating with the 14-year-old via text, discussing plans to meet up at a local Wal-Mart to engage in sex acts, the report stated. Artibee was arrested at Northland and Poinsetta Avenues at 1:50 a.m.
He initially denied communicating with the minor online, but eventually admitted to having a sexual conversation with whom he believed was a 14-year-old, according to the report.
Artibee was arrested on two charges of traveling to meet a minor for sex and attempted lewd or lascivious battery.