A man pretending to be a teen girl on social media was arrested Monday and faces a charge of sexual misconduct with a minor.
Kenneth Hall, 27, is suspected of posing as a teen girl named “Maya” on social media sites, Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, said in a news release.
His activities were brought to the attention of sheriff’s investigators last Sunday after a 16-year-old Sierra Vista girl claimed to have sex with him.
Hall is suspected of befriending the girl on social media and engaging in text message conversations for about a month while posing as “Maya,” Capas said.
After about a month, Hall, posing as “Maya,” texted the teen and “indicated that in order to have a continued relationship and actually meet, the 16 year old would have to meet with a male friend of hers and have a sexual encounter to prove her affections,” Capas said.
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The teen met Hall, who drove her to a secluded area where they had consensual sex.
“As the two were coming back into town, the 16 year old sent a text message to ‘Maya’ when Hall’s cell phone rang. The 16 year old became suspicious and ultimately Hall confessed that he was pretending to be ‘Maya’ the entire time,” Capas said.
The teen reported this incident to her family members who contacted law enforcement.
As of Friday, Hall remained in the Cochise County jail on a $150,000 bond.
Anyone who had a similar encounter should call 911, 88-CRIME or the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office at 520- 432-9500. Information received will remain confidential.
