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Man lured/abused teen though social media website
Posted: 03.16.2012 at 4:45 PM
Katie Lopez

Katie Lopez is a reporter for Action 4 News.

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A Harlingen man is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old Edinburg girl after meeting her through a social media website.

Edinburg police said the popular site, Mocospace, is where Joshua Mata first met his teen victim.

Officers said it wasn't until the teen became pregnant that she came forward claiming the suspect sexually abused her.

The teen claims that after several weeks of corresponding back and forth through the site, the 22-year-old arranged for them to meet.

Police said the abuse happened after Mata picked her up from her Edinburg home and brought her to a remote location.
 
"We do have predators and these predators are going to befriend you, communicate, and want to meet you,” said Lt. Oscar Trevino. “They're going to want to go through with their intentions and those aren't good---they are to harm you."

Lt. Trevino said if predators have said it once, they've said it a hundred times and parents need to monitor what their children are doing online.

“What might seem like harmless chatting can turn into something serious and possibly dangerous to the child.” said Lt. Trevino.

Mata has been charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of sexual assault.

The 22-year-old's bonds total $250,000.

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