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Man accused of traveling to Pa. to meet girl, 14, for sex

EAST DEER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Virginia man has been arrested after allegedly traveling to East Deer Township with the intention of having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

According to the criminal complaint, 23-year-old Joshua Munoz met the girl on a teen chat website in May and began communicating with her through private messaging and text messages.

Investigators said the girl’s mother found the sexually explicit messages on her daughter’s phone and alerted authorities.

Munoz, of Reston, Virginia, was arrested Monday after undercover agents posed as the teenage girl to arrange a meeting location in Pittsburgh.

“The Child Predator Section came out and met with the minor and her mother and found out what was going on. We did an account takeover and contacted the defendant, and he came to meet for sex,” said Deputy Attorney General Tony Marmo.

Munoz is facing charges that include unlawful contact with a minor, criminal attempt indecent assault and criminal use of a communication facility.

“He’s well-liked by his peers. This comes as a shock to his friends and family,” Munoz’s attorney, David Shrager, said.

Shrager said Munoz attended Point Park University and studied dance.

“He’s been an excellent student. He’s very close to graduation. He’s had a lot of job offers as a classical dancer. This is a very sad scenario,” Shrager said.

Prosecutors said the situation could have been a lot worse had the teen’s mother not stepped in.

“In this case, it was an actual girl that was being solicited. Thankfully her mother found out and contacted us,” Marmo said.

Munoz remains in the Allegheny County Jail awaiting a preliminary hearing next week.