Another Sex Predator Caught

[Guest Dwight C]

DeFuniak Springs, Fla. - In this day and age, almost every child has access to a smartphone or computer but, do you know what apps your children are using and how to keep them from sexual predators? 

A situation landed a local man behind bars after sending inappropriate messages to a 15-year-old girl. 

A Fort Walton Beach man pled no contest for traveling to meet a minor for sex. It was the diligent parents who discovered the messages on the smart phone app called "Kik."

"Going through those applications for them was part of their process and they ended up finding something, which led to criminal charges," said Corey Dobridnia, Walton County Sheriff's Public Information Officer.
Matthew James Reynolds, 28, was sentenced to 15 years in the Department of Corrections. 

"He was soliciting this child to send him pornographic images of herself and sending her gift cards in return," explained Dobridnia.

After Reynolds is released from prison, he will serve 10 years on sex offender probation and will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Sex predators tend to use apps that can send messages and images, such a What's app, Snapchat, Facebook Messanger and Kik app.
ere is was parents need to be aware of:

"You as a parent, have the right to look at those things on your child's phone. Be curious about what they have on their phone. Stay up to date on what the latest thing is. You are not invading their privacy. You are their parents," shared Dobridnia.

If you notice any inappropriate behaviors or messages on any platforms of social media, immediately report it to your local sheriffs office.