A 26-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man is in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail after being arrested Friday on charges of lewdness with a child under the age of 14 years and Luring a child under the age of 14 years.
Michael Anthony Abbott was arrested after Douglas County investigators discovered he had allegedly engaged in a relationship of a sexual nature with a 13 year-old girl.
Abbott began contact with the girl through My Space, and the contact eventually developed into a relationship where he met with and interacted with the girl on several occasions. The relationship developed into one of a sexual nature, according to Sgt. Jim Halsey of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
The relationship was discovered by the girl's parents, and although the parents warned Abbott to cease contact with their daughter because of her age, Abbott continued to engage in a secret relationship with the girl.
The identity of the victim is being withheld due to her age.
