Clay County father accused of trying to entice a teenager for sex

A Clay County father was federally indicted for allegedly trying to entice a teenager for sex.

Federal investigators said 29-year-old Darryl Smith Junior was talking with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.

The indictment includes several messages exchanged between Smith and the agent.

In the messages, Smith told the undercover agent about the sexual things he wanted to do with the teen.

The indictment said Smith also asked for explicit pictures from the teen. Investigators said he sent a picture of his genitals.

After days of exchanging messages, investigators said Smith went to the McDonald’s on Blanding Blvd. with the intention to meet up with the girl, but federal agents were there instead.

A Clay County father is facing federal charges — accused of trying to have sex with an undercover officer posing as a 14 y/o girl. What he told investigators when he was arrested, at 6 on CBS47/FOX30 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/iZ713W9DcS

— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) February 19, 2019

When investigators asked why he did it, Smith told investigators “I don’t know, man… probably because I was really horny, honestly.”

He then said he didn’t know what he was thinking, and he understood what he did was “morally wrong.”

Action News Jax spoke to David Rowlinson, who said his daughter used to date Smith and they have a child together.

He said Smith lived with them for five years, but they evicted him a couple of months ago.

“He was a loner. Quiet. Didn’t interact,” Rowlinson said.

Still, Rowlinson said Smith didn’t show any warning signs.

Court records show Smith was in a custody battle over the couple’s 4-year-old daughter. The couple was supposed to appear in court for a hearing Wednesday.

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