DA: Chesco man sent explicit texts to 13-year-old

A Chester County man has been charged with sending explicit text messages and photos to a 13-year-old girl whom he met online.

Michael Ryan Boyes, 28, of West Grove, tried to lure the girl to have sex with him, said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan.

The victim, who lives in Bethel Township, told detectives she had met people using anonymous chat programs on her iPhone. Police said the girl's texts with Boyes indicated that he knew her age.

The victim and her mother contacted the Bethel Township Police Department last month and gave detectives access to the girl's cell phone, which detectives used to continue communicating with Boyes.

The conversations continued for several days as part of the undercover investigation.

"I'm cool if your (sic) cool," he texted her after learning the girl was in seventh grade, police said.

Police said Boyes also described sex acts, sent two photos of his genitals to the girl, and asked her to send photos of her genital area.

Boyes is facing several felony charges, including solicitation of indecent assault of a minor under age 16, solicitation to photograph a child sex act, and unlawful contact with a minor.

He was arraigned Thursday evening, and a judge set his bail at $100,000 cash.

- Laura McCrystal