OCALA, Fla. – An Ocala man accused of trying to arrange sex with a child and woman he was messaging on social media has been arrested, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Nicolas Wallace, 29, was arrested on Friday. The sheriff’s office said the woman told deputies Wallace bragged online about committing child sex abuse and possessing child pornography.
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Deputies said he was investigated after the woman filed a report with the sheriff’s office in Columbia County about the conversation she’d had with Wallace on social media, where Wallace allegedly claimed to have sexually battered young girls on several occasions.
When Columbia County deputies contacted Wallace undercover while using the woman’s social media account, they say Wallace claimed he had unrestricted access to a child and could arrange a sexual encounter and bring the child with him. The sheriff’s office said he also explained how he groomed the children for sexual activity.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office contacted Marion County deputies when they located Wallace in Ocala. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was already investigating Wallace for allegedly uploading child sex abuse material to a social media platform.
Wallace was arrested and faces charges of transmission of child pornography, possession of child pornography, solicitation to commit sexual battery on a victim under 12, promoting the sexual performance of a minor, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. More charges are anticipated, deputies said, after a forensic examination is completed of his cell phone and tablet.
Wallace is being held on a $95,000 bond.
The sheriff’s office believes there may be more victims, based on Wallace’s statements. If you or someone you know may have been victimized, you’re asked to call Detective King at 352-368-3586.
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