A St. Johns County man was arrested Thursday after an investigation revealed he was targeting a child, who ended up being an undercover detective, on the Internet, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJSO) reports.
SJSO arrested Cody Allen Mercer, 25. SVU detectives launched an investigation aimed to target individuals who use the Internet to sexually exploit children. Detective say Mercer contacted an undercover detective posing as a child and the two planned to meet.
Wednesday night, Mercer was traveling to the meet-up location. Detectives tried conducting a traffic stop, but Mercer fled. Deputies say they were unable to catch him due to rainy weather, but on Thursday afternoon, he turned himself in.
He was charged with use of computer to seduce, solicit, lure a child, attempted lewd and lascivious behavior, travel to meet a child after using a computer to lure a child, unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony and transmitting info harmful to minors and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement.
His first court appearance is Friday morning.
