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May 1, 2012

Man accused of online solicitation

By JOSH NEWTON Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH — A Keys man was given a $25,000 bond Monday morning on charges of soliciting sexual conduct, contact or communication with a minor through use of technology.

Stephen Joe Nelson, 20, thought he’d been communicating through Facebook and text messages with a 13-year-old girl, but he was actually talking to a Tahlequah police detective.

Nelson persisted with a request to meet the so-called “girl,” so detectives set up the meeting last Friday morning.

When Nelson arrived, he was met by local police, who interviewed and arrested him.

He has not been formally charged in Cherokee County District Court.

Nelson reportedly wanted to have an overnight stay with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl, and had sent hundreds of Facebook and text messages to Tahlequah Detective Thomas Donnell since April 13.

Donnell had established a Facebook page to help monitor suspected sexual predators, and said Nelson made continued advances while thinking he was talking to a 13-year-old girl.

Police haven’t released details of the messages, but said they were sexually explicit.

Donnell said police began to look into Nelson when they received complaints that Nelson was partying with underage girls.

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