Police charge Newton man for sexual exploitation of a minor, grooming

Newton Police Department charged a 41-year-old Newton man with numerous felonies after he made sexual communications with an officer posing as a minor.

Eric Roberts communicated with the undercover police officer for three days on Facebook and was repeatedly informed that he was talking to a 14-year-old child. Roberts requested “sexy pictures” and demanded to see photos of the child without any clothing. He also described and requested sex acts from the child.

Eventually, Roberts said he could pick up the child from school and take them back to his home. He even agreed to meet at Maytag Park after school. Police located and encountered Roberts at the same date and time he had requested to meet. Roberts was questioned and admitted to police about his communications.

Roberts allowed police to view his communication with the fictitious child from his own cellphone. He confirmed the messages exchanged were all from him, and he told officers the messages were sexual in nature and directed to what he believed to be a 14-year-old child.

Roberts has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor (Class B felony), enticing a minor under 16 (Class D felony) and grooming (Class D felony).