SANDY, Utah (ABC4) — A Weber County man is facing felony charges after he allegedly offered to pay a minor $700 for sex and was confronted by over 20 teens at a Sandy mall.
According to court documents, Bryce Stephen Ray, 49, of West Haven used Snapchat to talk with a 15-year-old high school student. During their conversation, Ray reportedly never shared his real name but did send a picture of himself through the app.
Ray later offered the victim money in exchange for sex so she could buy clothes. Despite the teen telling Ray she was a minor, the two agreed to meet at the Shops at South Town Mall in Sandy.
On Monday, July 9, a Sandy Police Department officer responded to the mall after getting reports of a group of teenagers confronting a man. When the officer arrived, he reported finding “approximately 20 teenagers yelling at an older man, identified as Ray, calling him a pedophile.”
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According to the Sandy Police Department, Ray had a check for $360 on him and had agreed with the teen to send her another $350 through CashApp.
Ray was charged with one count of enticing a minor and one count of sexual solicitation of a child, both second-degree felonies.
Ray had his initial hearing on Tuesday, July 16 where he was appointed a defense attorney. A detention hearing was scheduled for Monday, July 22. Ray is currently being held without bail, pending the detention hearing.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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