Watch CBS News

Butler Co. Man Allegedly Solicited Sex From 14-Year-Old

BUTLER (KDKA) -- A Butler County man is accused of soliciting sex on Facebook from a 14-year-old girl.

According to the criminal complaint, 53-year-old William Ainsworth, of Mars, said he'd been pretending to be a teenager on the site for 18 months.

He set up a phony Facebook page, claiming to be a 15-year-old boy.

According to the criminal complaint, they never had sex, but she sent approximately six explicit nude photographs of herself.

The parents of the 14-year-old girl found out about it and then went online, assuming the identity of their daughter.

Ainsworth was arrested when he showed up at the girl's house. The parents expected him and called 911.

Ainsworth's contact with the girl had gone on for about nine months.

Ross Township Police have a detective dedicated to cyberspace crimes.

They say parents need to make teens understand they're on the same team when it comes to safety.

"When they receive something on Facebook or via text, you want them if it's alarming to come to you with it, bring it to your attention and let you know they feel it's wrong that they're concerned about it and you need to work as a teen," Ross Township Police Sgt. Ben Dripps said.

According to the criminal complaint, Ainsworth admitted he contacted other teenage girls in the area, soliciting nude pictures so there may be additional charges.

Ainsworth is being held on $100,000 bond.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
More Butler County News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.