West Palm man, 37, arrested after sexual texts to undercover cop
He thought he was talking to 14-year-old girl, police say.
WEST PALM BEACH — A West Palm Beach man posted an ad on Craigslist indicating that he was “up for anything,” including — an undercover cop learned — a 14-year-old girl.
Steven Alexander, 37, was arrested last week on multiple child cruelty and obscene c ommunic a t i on c harge s . Palm Beach Count y Sheriff ’s Office records indicate Alexander started communicating in March with a person who he thought was a 14-year-old girl
Instead, he spent days tex- ting an undercover cop with the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children task force, a local branch of the national organization.
T h e u n d e r c o v e r c o p responded to Alexander’s Craigslist ad and asked what age woman he was interested in.
The man, who told authorities he’s married, responded: “Age is a number to me. Just be able to handle me in bed.” When the cop told Alexander she was 14, he typed back, “wow.”
The correspondences continued, according to sheriff ’s office records. One day he asked why the teenager was home alone.
“Spring break, nothing to do. Mom at work ... layin on couch watchin Twilight,” the undercover cop texted.
Alexander asked if the girl wanted to “get naked and dirty.” He asked for pictures of the girl’s genitals and over the next few days sent her several pictures of his.
The cop expressed conc e r n s a b o u t i n a pp r o p r i - ate pi c t ures of her bei ng shared. Alexander assured her, “you’re my little secret. Can’t tell anyone or I’ll get in trouble.”
The cop asked Alexander to explain. “I’d get in trouble because I am in my 30s and you’re a teenager, silly.” He asked to meet up with the teen.
On Tuesday, authorities met with Alexander about the more than 800 texts he’d reportedly sent to a 14-yearold. He admitted to sending nude pictures to the girl and called it “a lapse in judgment.” He denied plans to meet up with the teen to have sex.
Alexander was arrested May 23 and remained in the Palm Beach County Jail on Tuesday with his bail set at $75,000. Judge Caroline Shepherd ordered he not use the internet or have contact with anyone under the age of 18.
Records show Alexander is on probation after pleading guilt y last year to burglary and theft.