Online chat ends in statutory rape charges for Memphis man
A Memphis man was arrested on allegations of statutory rape and sexual exploitation of a minor after an internet provider alerted police to an exchange investigators believed to include child pornography.
When investigators found 42-yearold James Wayne Bernard, he was with two teenage girls, police said.
Memphis police said an internet provider contacted detectives on August 15 with information about a sexually explicit conversation on a chat service.
The chat included images that appeared to be child pornography.
The account belonged to Bernard, police said.
Bernard was found in the company of two girls when police located him, investigators said. Investigators reviewed the sexual explicit images from the exchange and found pictures of what appear to be an exposed pubescent female, the report said.
The conversation also referenced “past, ongoing and planned future sexual relations” between Bernard and the older of the two girls he was found with, the affidavit said.
Bernard was brought to police headquarters at 170 N. Main where he was advised of his Miranda Rights. He gave a formal statement admitting to oral sex and intercourse with both girls and to sending and receiving nude images of the teens, according to the report.
Bernard was charged with two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, one count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor. Bernard remains in jail without bond. He is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court Division 15 on Sept. 10.