Man Pleads Guilty to Luring Winchester Girl by Computer

WINCHESTER, MA—A man who sent photos of his genitals to investigators while they were in control of an 11-year-old Winchester girl's Kik messenger account plead guilty to charges of luring a minor by computer on April 4.

According to a statement from Winchester Police Chief Kenneth Albertelli, James Thompson, 35, of Fargo, North Dakota pleaded guilty in a North Dakota District Court to charges of luring a minor by computer. The girl's father contacted police after discovering suspicious messages sent to his daughter through the Kik messenger app.

Officials say that a Winchester Police investigator began communicating with Thompson, and that Thompson sent a photo of his genitals to an investigator in control of the girl's phone in August of 2014.

"I commend the work of all the law enforcement agencies involved in this case, and the Winchester Police Department for their hard work in bringing this man's crimes to light," Albertelli said. "This is a perfect example of how monitoring children's Internet and cell phone use can prevent potentially dangerous situations. I would encourage parents and guardians to continue to be vigilant in supervising their children's online activities and to contact police if you are ever concerned about who may be contacting your child."

Thompson had to register as an offender against children following his conviction of a felony child abuse or neglect charge in Barnes County, North Dakota in 2007, according to the statement. In exchange for his guilty plea, other charges pending against Thompson, including failing to register required information as an offender against children, have been dropped.