James Bowen, co-owner of Bob’s Barbershop in Gainesville, was arrested at a RaceTrac gas station in Deltona over the weekend
A Florida barber who was one of seven arrested in an undercover sex sting told officers that he wanted to see a ‘sting in action’.
James Bowen, co-owner of Bob’s Barbershop in Gainesville, was arrested at a RaceTrac gas station in Deltona over the weekend, according to a news released from the Volusia County Sheriff’s office.
‘He told deputies he only came to the meeting place because he believed it was an undercover sting and he thought it would be cool to see it in action,’ the release said on Facebook.
‘His sexually charged chats and texts with an undercover detective he believed was a 14-year-old girl ensured that he got his wish,’ the Facebook post added.
The 34-year-old was charged with the use of a two-way communications device to commit a felony, attempted lewd and lascvicious sexual battery on a child, traveling to seduce/solicit/lure a child and use of a computer to lure a child.
In video of the arrests, called ‘Operation Unlawful Attraction’, Bowen can be seen being detained at his vehicle. He was wearing a shirt that said: ‘I would cuddle you so much harder.’
Bowen, along with six other men, believed that he was meeting a 14-year-old girl. They were found to have actually corresponded with an undercover detective.
‘He told deputies he only came to the meeting place because he believed it was an undercover sting,’ the Volusia County Sheriff’s office said in a statement. The 34-year-old was seen on video wearing a shirt that said ‘I would cuddle you so much harder’
Bowen was charged with the use of a two-way communications device to commit a felony, attempted lewd and lascvicious sexual battery on a child, traveling to seduce/solicit/lure a child and use of a computer to lure a child. Bob’s Barbershop in Gainesville
The other six suspects were 49-year-old mechanic Jorge Cruz, 25-year-old Jonathan Harden, 28-year-old Ronald J Foley, 22-year-old former counselor Jonathan William Hayes, 31-year-old Ryan Kirk and 43-year-old Georgie G Wallace.
‘As many times as we do this, it’s like a moth to a flame,’ Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at a press conference, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
‘You’ve got these scumbags (who) think they are going to have sex with a 14- or 15-year-old.’
Bowen was taken into custody on Monday and transported to the Volusia County jail in lieu of a $40,000 bond, according to the Gainesville Times.