Pocatello man charged after police say he asked detective posing as teenage girl for sex
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POCATELLO — A 24-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trying to meet someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex, but the girl was actually a detective.
Abu Harris is charged with felony enticing a child through the internet. He pleaded not guilty Monday.
According to court documents, on Nov. 7, a Boise Police detective notified the Idaho Crimes Against Children Unit in Pocatello about alleged crimes he had witnessed while posing as a 14-year-old girl online.
Harris sent the detective sexually explicit messages and planned to meet with the “child” for sexual acts in Pocatello, according to the detective.
At 4:40 p.m., officers detained Harris at the meeting place, which was a Maverik gas station.
During an interview with police, Harris reportedly admitted to knowingly sending sexually explicit messages on Telegram to a person he thought was a 14-year-old girl. He also allegedly admitted to buying lubricant and planning to bring marijuana for the child.
He was booked into the Bingham County Jail on Nov. 8, with a bond of $5,000. He is expected to appear for a jury trial on April 15.
If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
Though Harris has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.