Detective Harold Phillips of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said the photo was sent in early January.
The man, Michael Eric Thomas, met the girl at church, and befriended her, Phillips said.
Phillips arrested Thomas today, and the man was jailed on $5,000 bond. He has a March 12 court date.
The girl's mother frequently checks her daughter's cell phone and social media account.
She discovered Thomas was sending text messages to the child. The mother contacted authorities, and an investigation began.
“The mother did an outstanding job by checking her daughter's cell phone and social media accounts,” Phillips said in a statement. “More parents should do the same.”
