The man, Anthony R. Stepheson, of Seaboard, was arrested Tuesday by Detective Courtney Williams on charges of statutory rape, abduction of a child, indecent liberties with a child and soliciting a minor by computer or electronic device.
The sheriff's office, according to Captain Chuck Hasty, received the report Monday from a concerned parent about activity on their child's cell phone.
The investigation by Williams reportedly revealed that Stephenson was texting the girl, who was older than 13, but under the age of 16, inappropriate messages via phone and also allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with the child.
Hasty declined to comment on details of the abduction.
Stephenson was jailed on $255,000 bond and was scheduled to appear in court today for a first appearance.
