Man Faces Solicitation Charge

By Domingo Ramirez Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas

Jun. 30–TROPHY CLUB — A North Richland Hills man was in custody Friday after authorities say he drove to Trophy Club to meet a 14-year-old girl he had met via the Internet.

The teen turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Police said they also discovered a sword in the man’s vehicle.

The man was identified as Barry James Reed, 28. He was in the Denton County Jail on Friday with bail set at $27,000.

Reed faces charges of online solicitation of a minor and unlawful carrying of a weapon, police said. He was arrested Thursday morning at an apartment complex in the 1500 block of Plantation Oaks Drive.

An undercover Trophy Club police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl met Reed over the Internet a few weeks ago, Trophy Club Police Chief Scott Kniffen said Friday.

“They exchanged e-mails, and he even sent a photograph of himself where he was partially nude,” Kniffen said.

The two were scheduled to meet Thursday morning, Kniffen said.

Authorities did not release additional details about the sword found in Reed’s vehicle.

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ramirez@star-telegram.com Domingo Ramirez Jr., 817-685-3822

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