Florida man flew to pennsylvania for sex affair with 9-year-old girl, but she was a cop waiting to arrest him

WEST CHESTER, PA – James Richards, a 53-year-old resident of Satellite Beach, Florida, was arrested on December 1, 2024, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, after attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office.

Richards was apprehended following a sting operation where he solicited sexual contact with what he believed was a nine-year-old girl. Instead, he was communicating with an undercover Chester County Detective.

The operation was initiated after a witness reported to the police on November 25, 2024, about Richards allegedly raping a 10-year-old child in Florida.

The sting was meticulously planned after learning Richards was traveling to Pennsylvania for the Thanksgiving holiday. Acting on this information, a meeting was scheduled where Richards agreed to pay $300 for sexual contact with the child. He was arrested on November 30, 2024, at the predetermined location, in possession of $300, lubrication jelly, and Skittles candy intended for the child.

District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe praised the efforts of the investigators, stating, “The Defendant traveled to Chester County with the express purpose of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl for $300. I am grateful to the team of detectives who worked over the Thanksgiving weekend to catch this child predator.”

Richards has been charged with Attempted Rape of a Child, Trafficking in Persons, among other related offenses. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Timothy Arndt, who set bail at $2,000,000 in cash. Richards remains in custody at Chester County Prison.

The investigation revealed that there might be additional victims. DA de Barrena-Sarobe urged anyone with information about Richards or similar incidents to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance in protecting children. Contact details for the Chester County Detectives and Childline were provided for anyone with information.

The Chester County Detectives Office, with assistance from the Phoenixville Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia, led the investigation. First Assistant District Attorney Erin O’Brien has been assigned as the prosecutor in this case.

Shore News Network Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.