FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2007

Man arrested for internet crime involving 14-year old.

State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the arrest of Brandon Josiah Lee, 23, of 7238 Skywater Drive, in the Deerpoint Lake area, on a charge of Transmission of Harmful Materials to Minors. He is alleged to have sent nude photographs of himself to the victim, who complained to her middle school guidance counselor.

Investigators from the State Attorney’s Office received information from the Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey, police department that Lee had been communicating with a 14-year old girl he met in an on-line gaming chat room. Approximately 150 e-mails and numerous instant messages passed between the two.

A search warrant was served, with the assistance of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and Lee’s computer was seized. Investigators noted that Lee appeared to be wearing the same clothing he wore in an image previously sent to the 14-year old.

"It is a priority of this office to protect our children from internet predators," said Meadows. "Ours is the only State Attorney’s Office in this state to be a member of the regional Internet Crimes Against Children(ICAC) task force and will continue to work to identify and apprehend such offenders."