A Port St. Lucie man is facing several felony charges after Palm Beach County sheriff’s detectives say he arranged to meet a teenage girl for sex at The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens. Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, 35-year-old Joshua Lynch was arrested on June 5 after an investigation into allegations that he communicated online with someone he believed was under 18 years old. Detectives said the investigation began after a report that the girl had been offered money in exchange for sexual activity. Investigators said Lynch and the girl communicated through online platforms and text messages. The report states that the girl repeatedly told Lynch she was underage, but detectives allege he continued discussing meeting in person. After detectives took over the girl’s communications as part of an undercover operation, they allegedly continued planning a meeting at The Gardens Mall on PGA Boulevard. Authorities said Lynch drove to the mall on June 5, where he was taken into custody. According to the affidavit, Lynch later told detectives he had gone to the mall to meet the girl he met online. Investigators said he admitted plans included sexual activity. Lynch was charged with solicitation to commit human trafficking of a minor, solicitation, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony. Court records show the charges stem from an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The case remains under investigation.Get the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —
A Port St. Lucie man is facing several felony charges after Palm Beach County sheriff’s detectives say he arranged to meet a teenage girl for sex at The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens.
Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, 35-year-old Joshua Lynch was arrested on June 5 after an investigation into allegations that he communicated online with someone he believed was under 18 years old. Detectives said the investigation began after a report that the girl had been offered money in exchange for sexual activity.
Hearst Owned
Port St. Lucie man accused of trying to meet minor for sex at Palm Beach Gardens mall
Investigators said Lynch and the girl communicated through online platforms and text messages. The report states that the girl repeatedly told Lynch she was underage, but detectives allege he continued discussing meeting in person.
After detectives took over the girl’s communications as part of an undercover operation, they allegedly continued planning a meeting at The Gardens Mall on PGA Boulevard. Authorities said Lynch drove to the mall on June 5, where he was taken into custody.
According to the affidavit, Lynch later told detectives he had gone to the mall to meet the girl he met online. Investigators said he admitted plans included sexual activity.
Lynch was charged with solicitation to commit human trafficking of a minor, solicitation, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony. Court records show the charges stem from an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
The case remains under investigation.
Get the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.