Area man allegedly tried to lure child
A 20-year-old West Alexander man is facing charges including luring a child into a motor vehicle over allegations he made arrangements on social media last month to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex.
The girl who made the offer turned out to be the 14-year-old’s older sister, who messaged Timothy C. Hughes on SnapChat Nov. 11 to pick her up now after her younger sister made her aware of Hughes’ intentions in an earlier phone conversation, Donegal Township police stated in court records.
The older sister claimed she went outside with her boyfriend to confront and photograph Hughes when he arrived, but he drove off upon seeing them, the record indicates.
Hughes, of 139 Main St., also is charged with corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor. He is in Washington County jail on $200,000 bond set Wednesday by District Judge James Ellis.
The 14-year-old said she first met Hughes a year ago through a family friend and that he asked her for a hug. The two met up again in June or July at a bonfire party, where he allegedly cornered her and pushed her back against the hood of his vehicle before her older sister broke them apart.
He also is accused of later making unwelcome advances toward the girl at the West Alexander Fair.
The two eventually became Facebook friends, and during messages on that social media platform Nov. 11, she asked for his phone number.
Police said during an ensuing phone conversation, Hughes offered to travel to her home, pick her up and “show you what sex is like,” the affidavit states.
At that point, police said, the 14-year-old alerted her sister about the offer.