Washington Man Sentenced for Attempted Sexual Communication with a Minor

WASHINGTON MAN SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED SEXUAL COMMUNICATION WITH A MINOR

A man identified as Mark Robertson has been involved in attempting to communicate sexually with a minor, believing he was talking to a 14-year-old girl.

The conversation was with a decoy profile operated by an undercover police officer.

According to court reports, in October 2022, Robertson sent a message via Snapchat claiming the girl was 14.

Over the course of the chat, he exchanged selfies with the decoy, inquired about her underwear, and discussed being her boyfriend, expressing romantic interest and using terms like "baby." The conversation became increasingly sexual, with Robertson asking for explicit pictures, mentioning kissing, and suggesting the possibility of more intimate acts if she consented.

He also requested a picture of her school and asked if she wanted a piece of sex chat, indicating a desire to escalate the sexual content.

Furthermore, Robertson sent a photo of his private parts covered with stickers, and asked if she would like a picture of his penis.

When police attended his home, he claimed he had been stressed at work and that his "moral compass was off-kilter," asserting that it was just a fantasy and denying any real intent to meet a child.

He pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child and was sentenced to 10 months in prison suspended for two years.

In addition, he is required to sign the sex offenders register and will be under a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

The court commentary highlighted Robertson's low self-esteem but noted his good work record and recent counseling efforts, with his defense stating his isolation as a contributing factor.

The case underscores the dangers of online sexual predators and the importance of monitoring digital interactions with minors.