A 29-year-old man who allegedly created a fake online profile to inappropriately communicate with teenage girls appeared Friday in Clark County Superior Court.
Johnny James Watson of Vancouver was arrested Thursday on suspicion of 10 counts of felony communication with a minor, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of possessing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Watson is accused of using a false name and birthdate to communicate with a 14-year-old girl via Facebook, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court.
He created a profile as 16-year-old “Dustin Webb” and began talking to the girl online and via text messages in November, court records state.
During their conversations, “Dustin Webb” allegedly made statements to the girl about wanting to engage in sexual conduct with her. He also reportedly pressured her into sending him explicit photos of herself. The alleged victim sent “Dustin Webb” at least three photos, according to the affidavit.
After tracing “Webb’s” computer to a Vancouver home, an officer began an undercover chat with him.
Investigators served a search warrant Thursday at Watson’s residence and interviewed him. He reportedly told police he created the “Dustin Webb” Facebook page about two years ago to communicate with teenage girls. Watson also admitted to knowing the girl and her family, court documents state.
Investigators found numerous firearms in the home and a rifle in Watson’s room, court records said. Watson was previously convicted of second-degree assault and is barred from owning firearms.
On Friday, Judge Derek Vanderwood appointed Charles Buckley to represent Watson. He also set his bail at $25,000.
Watson is scheduled to be arraigned Friday, May 29.
