LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – A Louisville man could be sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography and sending sexually explicit texts to a 14-year-old girl he met on Facebook.
According to the indictment handed down by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Kentucky's western district, 35-year-old Michael R. Grindles pleaded guilty to "attempted enticement and coercion of a minor female to engage in sexual activity by means of the Internet or telephone and to possession of child pornography."
Court records state that, between July 11, 2011 and August 17, 2011 Grindles allegedly contacted the teen through Facebook. After receiving the girl's cell phone number, he began sending sexually explicit texts to the teen.
The Louisville Metro Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit was contacted and began intercepting the texts.
On August 17, 2011 Grindles, made arrangements through text messages to meet the girl at a Walgreen's in the 5100 block of Dixie Highway.
LMPD officers from the CACU took Grindles into custody when he showed up to meet the teen. Police confiscated his computer and five cell phones.
Grindles faces a possible sentence of 10 years to life in prison, as well as a fine of $500,000. After serving his sentence, Grind le will be on supervised release for at least five years.
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Michael R. Grindles (Source: Louisville Metro Corrections)
