SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — A 25-year-old Mechanicsville man faces three felony charges following an online solicitation investigation in Spotsylvania County involving members of a group that seeks to expose suspected online predators, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office.
Nicholas Martin Miller was arrested after individuals associated with Predator Poachers contacted deputies to report that an adult male had solicited sexual acts during online conversations with someone they were portraying as a juvenile, authorities said.
Deputies responded to the area of North Tadley Lane and Shane Lane, where they located and detained Miller. Investigators found evidence supporting the allegations reported by Predator Poachers, according to the sheriff's office.
Miller was charged with three felony counts of using a communications system to facilitate offenses involving children, according to the sheriff's office.
Court records filed Friday in Spotsylvania General District Court provide additional details about the charges.
Two of the charges are classified as Class 5 felonies and are described in court records as proposing sexual conduct with someone younger than 15 by an offender at least seven years older.
The third charge is a Class 6 felony described in court records as a sexual offense involving a minor by computer.
All three charges fall under Virginia Code Section 18.2-374.3, which addresses the use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children.
Court records list Thursday as the offense date and Friday as the arrest date for all three charges.
The records also show an arraignment listed for Friday at 8:30 a.m. Each case is marked as transferred to another jurisdiction or court, although the records do not identify the receiving court.
Miller was remanded to the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $5,000 secured bond, according to the sheriff's office.
The charges are allegations, and Miller is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Following the arrest, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office encouraged parents and guardians to discuss online safety with their children.
Authorities advised parents to remind children not to share personal information or intimate images online and to report inappropriate requests to a trusted adult.
The sheriff's office participates in the Northern Virginia-Washington, D.C., Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, part of a national network of law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies that investigate online child exploitation.
The department also works with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which assists law enforcement and families in cases involving missing and exploited children.
Anyone with information about suspected child exploitation can contact the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office at 540-582-5822 or 800-928-5822.
Reports can also be submitted anonymously through Spotsylvania Crime Solvers or P3 Tips.
Suspected online child exploitation can be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's CyberTipline or by calling 800-843-5678.
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