Worcester County Man Accused Of Trying To Pay For Sex With Minor

WORCESTER, MA — A Clinton man was scheduled to appear in federal court Wednesday after prosecutors said he tried to pay $150 to have sex with someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl.

James Gill, 39, was charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor after allegedly responding to an online commercial sex advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors said Gill exchanged text messages and had a phone call with an undercover agent posing as the sister of the purported minor. During those communications, Gill allegedly agreed to pay $150 for sex with the girl and said he intended to record the encounter.

Gill also allegedly requested photographs of the purported minor and sent a nude photograph of himself to be shown to her, according to charging documents.

Authorities arrested Gill when he arrived at a prearranged hotel to meet the purported minor, prosecutors said. He was arrested by state authorities in April and is now in federal custody.

The attempted sex trafficking of a child charge carries a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

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