COLUMBUS – A Columbus man is facing charges of child solicitation after he planned to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex.
According to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, deputies received information that 48-year-old Matthew Covert was making plans on Saturday to meet who he believed to be an underage girl at a North Vernon business.
Deputies say that he made his presence in the store known to the would-be victim. Police say he attempted to alter his appearance. However, police recognized him from a recent photograph he provided to the female.
Deputies say that he attempted to flee but realized he had nowhere to go and surrendered to officers.
