Suspect Sends Nude Photos To 15-Year-Old Girl: Polk Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL —A 28-year-old Lakeland man is accused of sending pictures of his penis to a 15-year-old girl.

On Monday, deputies with the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested Daniel Fehringer on charges of lewd battery on a minor, transmission of harmful material to a minor, and resisting a law enforcement officer without violence.

According to the affidavit, the 15-year-old victim’s mother saw inappropriate text, Snapchat, and Facebook messages, including a graphic photo from Fehringer on her daughter’s cell phone. When detectives spoke with the victim, she said that she and Fehringer had been texting each other in a sexual manner, and he had sent her pictures of his penis. She also said she performed oral sex on Fehringer, according to investigators.

Fehringer told authorities that he knew the victim was a minor, and said he didn't send the images, and that they were “just friends.” During a search of Fehringer’s devices, detectives discovered deleted nude photographs of Fehringer, and that is when the suspect confessed to sending the images.

“Parents and guardians are the first line of defense when it comes to keeping children safe from sexual predators like this guy," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "I’m proud of this mother for taking a closer look at her daughter’s cell phone and social media accounts and preventing this horrible act from becoming any worse than it already was. Parents, put parental controls on your child’s devices and check them regularly. This is the only way you can ensure they are safe online.”