Police: Marion man arrested after sending nude photos to decoy he believed was a 13-year-old

GRANT COUNTY, Ind. — Deputies have arrested a Marion man who allegedly sent sexually explicit photographs to a decoy that he believed was an underage girl.

According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old David Francis was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 26, following an investigation into possible child solicitation.

GCSO said deputies collaborated with a local “Catch a Predator” group, which reported that a decoy had been exchanging text messages with Francis on Facebook. The content within the messages soon escalated when Francis allegedly sent sexually explicit content, including nude photographs, to the decoy he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

Francis was placed under arrest and transported to the Grant County Jail, where he was preliminarily charged with child solicitation, which is a level 5 felony. GCSO said he posted bond and was released from custody.