Fairfax man accused of sending sexual messages to minors

Police say a 20-year-old Fairfax man sent sexual messages to several teenagers and attempted to meet them for sex. On Thursday he pleaded not guilty to five charges. (Getty Images)

A 20-year-old Fairfax man has been accused of sending sexual messages to multiple juveniles under the age of 16 and is charged with five felonies.

Nicholas Badger pleaded not guilty in court Thursday to four counts of luring a child and one count of abusing a child in a sexual performance. According to police, the investigation began when a concerned parent contacted police and reported that Badger was sending sexual messages to her 14-year-old daughter on social media while claiming he was 18 years old.

Following that report, the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force searched his phone and stated he had sexual conversations with several teenagers under the age of 16, sent them indecent images and videos, and attempted to arrange face-to-face meetings for sex. A judge ordered bail set at $10,000 and issued release conditions that restrict Badger’s access to minors and the internet.