INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A Vero Beach man has been arrested and faces charges of lewd computer solicitation of a child, and traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Liam Cavanaugh, 18, solicited who he thought was a 13-year-old female for sex, according to authorities. Cavanaugh then traveled to meet the supposed 13-year-old to have sex with her.
The victim’s mother found facebook messages between the girl and Cavanaugh indicating they had a sexual relationship, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Authorities interviewed the victim and she admitted that they did have a relationship, but denied having intercourse with Cavanaugh. She said she and Cavanaugh knew that Cavanaugh could get in trouble if they had sexual intercourse because of the age.
Authorities obtained the user name and password to the female’s facebook account. Then they obtained permission from the female’s mother to use her facebook account to correspond with Cavanaugh, according to authorities.
On Feb. 14 around 4 p.m. a law enforcement officer sent Cavanaugh a message through the victim’s account, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Around 9 p.m. Cavanaugh responded back. During the conversation they set up a time to meet. They picked the next morning to meet at the 7-Eleven at 1201 Old Dixie Highway, in Vero Beach.
Authorities met Cavanaugh at the 7-Eleven at 4 p.m. and detained him.
