SANDY, Utah (KTVX) — A Utah man faces felony charges after he allegedly offered to pay a minor $700 for sex and was confronted by over 20 teens at a Sandy mall.
According to court documents, Bryce Stephen Ray, 49, of West Haven used Snapchat to talk with a 15-year-old high school student. During their conversation, Ray reportedly never shared his real name but did send a picture of himself through the app.
Ray later offered the victim money in exchange for sex so she could buy clothes. Despite the teen telling Ray she was a minor, the two agreed to meet at the Shops at South Town Mall in Sandy.
On Monday, July 9, a Sandy Police Department officer responded to the mall after getting reports of a group of teenagers confronting a man. When the officer arrived, he reported finding “approximately 20 teenagers yelling at an older man, identified as Ray, calling him a pedophile.”
According to the Sandy Police Department, Ray had a check for $360 on him and had agreed with the teen to send her another $350 through CashApp.
Ray was charged with one count of enticing a minor and one count of sexual solicitation of a child, both second-degree felonies.
Ray had his initial hearing on Tuesday, July 16 where he was appointed a defense attorney. A detention hearing was scheduled for Monday, July 22. Ray is currently being held without bail, pending the detention hearing.