Quebec tennis player faces sex charge in Florida

Florida police arrested a Quebec professional tennis player Thursday night on accusations that he was planning to have sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Pierre-Ludovic Duclos, 27, was arrested at a Starbucks in Bradenton in a sting operation after the girl’s mother gave her cellphone to police.

Duclos had been texting the girl via cellphone and even went so far as to send her a photograph of his penis. Twice.

Duclos thought he was going to meet the youngster; instead he was met by police.

According to the arrest report provided by the Manatee County Sheriff ’s office, the victim and Duclos first met on Feb. 9 or 10 when they were playing tennis on adjacent courts.

Duclos gave the girl his business card after they had discussed the possibility of Duclos coaching her.

“The defendant was made aware the victim was only 13 years of age and a middle school student,” the report says.

The mother of the girl called Duclos and talked about lessons. On or about Feb. 12 or 13, the victim and Duclos began a texting relationship.

According to the police report, Duclos asked the victim if she was interested in “hooking up” and the conversations took on a sexual tone. It was after this that Duclos sent a picture of his penis.

The mother of the victim took her concerns to the Manatee Sheriff ’s office along with her daughter’s phone.

Forensic analysts extracted deleted messages between Duclos and the victim, including the photo.

The victim herself had a second interview with police on Thursday, Feb. 21, and with police present initiated a chat with Duclos, which a detective then took over pretending to be her.

Duclos asked her some very suggestive things and again sent a photo of his genitals. The report states that Duclos agreed to meet the girl at Starbucks and bring her back to his home to have sexual intercourse.

When the tennis player showed up at the Manatee Ave. Starbucks location, Crimes Against Children detectives arrested him.

Authorities said that after being read his Miranda rights, Duclos made a full confession.

The Quebec City native is charged with using a computer to solicit a child to commit sex acts, enticing a child, transmission of material harmful to minors and attempted lewd and lascivious battery.