Jamestown: Man Charged in Online Luring Sting

Jamestown, Stutsman County (trfnews.i234.me) A Jamestown man is facing felony charges after a police sting.

Police say he tried to lure a 14-year-old girl he met online. The girl was an undercover officer.

Charges Filed

Joseph Scott Nelson, 23, is charged with luring minors by computer. He also faces a drug paraphernalia charge.

Nelson pleaded not guilty on Feb. 5, according to court records. The case is pending in Stutsman County court.

Nelson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Court documents say a Bismarck detective contacted Jamestown police in January. The detective was working an online luring case.

Investigators say the detective posed online as a 14-year-old girl. Police say the chats with Nelson lasted for months.

Police say Nelson recently moved from Fargo to Jamestown. They also noted he was possibly homeless.

Police say the detective told Nelson the teen would come to Jamestown on Feb. 5. The plan was a drop-off at Alfred Dickey Library.

The meeting was set for about 10 a.m., according to the probable cause statement. Police say the messages included sexual content.

Detectives arrested Nelson outside the library after he arrived. Police say he believed he was meeting a 14-year-old.

Police say Nelson admitted using methamphetamine hours earlier. Police say he also admitted chatting with a 14-year-old on Messenger.

Nelson told detectives he wanted to help the girl and offer support. He denied plans to have sex with her.

Police say staff found a smoking device in his pocket after booking. The device had white residue, police said.

City of Jamestown information is here: jamestownnd.gov.

You can learn about the James River Valley Library System here: jrvls.org.

Stutsman County’s Correctional Center information is posted here: stutsmancounty.gov.

North Dakota’s luring law is listed here: NDCC 12.1-20-05.1.

North Dakota’s drug paraphernalia law is listed here: NDCC 19-03.4-03.

To report suspected child exploitation, contact local law enforcement. You can also file a report with the NCMEC CyberTipline.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.