Crafton Heights man thought he would be meeting child for sex, police say

A man from Pittsburgh’s Crafton Heights neighborhood was arrested Thursday after police said he made arrangements to meet for sex with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

The girl was actually an undercover FBI agent.

Pittsburgh police charged Ackenio Taylor, 32, with criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility. He was being held in Allegheny County Jail on $25,000 bail, according to court records.

A criminal complaint against Taylor said an FBI special agent was conducting an online social media child predator investigation posing as a 14-year-old girl. Police said Taylor contacted the agent during the investigation.

During numerous text messages, the agent told Taylor that he or she was a 14-year-old girl. While Taylor said she was too young, he then asked if she has sex, to which the agent said yes, the complaint said.

Police said Taylor asked to meet that evening at a gas station on East Carson Street at 10th Street on the South Side. Police said Taylor also asked for nude photos.

Police said they set up at the gas station and arrested Taylor without incident after he arrived. The complaint said Taylor told police, “I made a mistake. It’s a misunderstanding.”

The complaint said Taylor also told investigators that he does not think he is a pedophile and only wanted to see if the 14-year-old was real. Taylor said he speaks with many women online but has never met any of them in person since marrying his wife three years ago, the complaint said.

Taylor did not have an attorney listed in court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20.