Gavel. Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash
LOGAN — A 32-year-old Garland man is being bound over on charges of allegedly sexting with an undercover police officer, posing as a 13-year-old girl. Carlos Garcia-Rivera waived his rights to a preliminary hearing, where a judge would have reviewed the case and determined whether or not prosecutors had sufficient evidence to justify the charges.
Garcia was in 1st District Court Wednesday afternoon. He was previously charged with enticing a minor by internet or text, a second-degree felony; and sexual solicitation of a child and dealing in materials harmful to a minor, both third-degree felonies.
Defense attorney Ryan Holdaway said he had discussed the case with his client, who wished to waive the preliminary hearing. He also entered pleas of “not guilty” to each of the charges.
Through an interpreter, Garcia confirmed that he wanted to waive the hearing.
According to a warrant affidavit, Garcia messaged a Logan City Police officer through a social messaging app on Sept. 8. The officer was using a Facebook profile to pose as a 13-year-old Logan girl.
During the conversation, Garcia allegedly asked the officer to travel to his apartment for $150. The suspect even provided the officer his address in Garland.
The warrant stated that when the officer asked if the money was for drugs, Garcia replied that it was for sex. He then asked for a photo of the girl and tried to video chat, before sending a graphic picture of himself.
The police officer was able to identify Garcia from a recent jail booking photo taken around 2018. It appeared to resemble his Facebook profile picture.
Jail records show Garcia is being without bail. He was ordered to appear again in court April 27 and could face up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.
will@cvradio.com