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Brunswick man arrested trying to meet up with minor for sex

A man wanted in Georgia for child molestation and incest is in jail in St. Johns County.

Jeremy Lee Hughes, 41, is accused of trying to meet up with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl for sex.

Hughes responded to a classified ad posted online by deputies.

Deputies posed not just as a 14-year-old girl, but as the 14-year-old girl’s uncle.

The conversations took place over email, phone call and text message at the end of March and beginning of April.

According to the arrest affidavit, Hughes told the deputy, “I’ve always liked shorter, younger girls.”

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The affidavit says Hughes has arrest warrants for charges of aggravated child molestation and incest in Georgia.

Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson says criminals like Hughes are very well-versed in what children like.

“These individuals don’t look like your standard criminal,” said Carson. “They look like anybody that you see around, so they’re not easy to pick out. And of course they’re working with the general anonymity the internet provides.”

Hughes could be facing life in federal prison.