Ross man accused of soliciting sex from a minor

A Ross man is accused of soliciting sex from an undercover agent posing as a teenager.

U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said Thomas Perry Stultz, 36, was indicted this week by a federal grand jury on a charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

According to the affidavit filed in the case, Stultz used the app Grindr and his cellphone to persuade the agent, posing as a 14-year-old boy, to engage in sexual activity from Feb. 6 until April 5.

Stultz knew the agent was 14 when he engaged in sexually explicit conversations with him and requested to meet him, according to the affidavit. He allegedly replied “nice” when the agent told Stultz his age.

Stultz sent the agent sexually explicit pictures of himself and asked the agent to send pictures. The agent sent Stultz pictures of other officers when they were 14, which Stultz expressed appreciation for, the affidavit said.

On April 5, Stultz and the agent made plans to meet in person at the T stop at the North Shore next to Heinz Field. As Stultz made his way to the meeting point, he texted the agent, “I’m also a little nervous being that your so young lol,” the affidavit said.