A man from Ocala is facing charges for trying to engage a child in inappropriate behavior through text messages.
According to Ocala Police, 39-year-old Jerry Aguilar is charged with three counts of soliciting a child for sexual conduct via text messages, and ten counts of sending explicit material to a child.
Aguilar was arrested after the victim’s mother checked her child’s phone and found the inappropriate messages. The victim is a 13-year-old girl.
Police discovered that Aguilar had been texting the victim for several weeks, trying to make her feel comfortable with him.
With the help of the victim and her mother, an Ocala police detective conducted an operation where Aguilar didn’t realize he was actually communicating with the detective, who was posing as the victim.
During this exchange, Aguilar made multiple sexual references, sent explicit content, and tried to engage the child victim in sexual conduct, leading to his arrest.
Police are concerned that there may be other victims and encourage them to come forward. Aguilar is a horse trainer and coach who supervises children, so it’s important for potential victims to speak up.
In their statement, police reminded parents to keep an eye on their children’s phone activities and know who they are communicating with. Aguilar is currently in the Marion County Jail without bond.
