PORTLAND, Maine — Tennessee authorities have charged a Maine man with allegedly enticing a Monroe County, Tenn., girl to send him explicit photos.
Jermany Scott Claus, 39, was booked into custody of the U.S. Marshals Service in Portland, Maine, following a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe launched earlier this week, according to a TBI news release.
TBI received information May 18 that Claus had asked the Athens, Tenn., girl to send him nude and pornographic images. The victim sent numerous photos to the suspect via cellphone text messages, the release states.
TBI launched an undercover investigation with the victim’s phone, collecting evidence to corroborate the victim’s statement. Federal warrants were obtained and the Kittery Police Department in Maine executed a search warrant at Claus’ residence, seizing electronic devices that could have illegal images of the victim.
Claus is charged with enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce a visual depiction for said conduct and receipt of child pornography.
Distributed by MCT Information Services