TEXARKANA, Texas — An East Texas man accused of sending sexually suggestive messages and videos to several underaged girls has been charged with grooming.
Matthew Riddle, 35, was charged with grooming on Tuesday for allegations of messaging young girls who he met through their involvement in youth sports activities, according to the Texarkana Police Department.
Police said the girls were all under the age of 18.
The charge of grooming, which is a felony, was recently created and went into effect on Sept. 1, 2023. Police said this type of behavior is often used by "pedophiles to manipulate and gain the trust of minors and move in small incremental steps toward sexual contact."
The intention is to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation and prevent adults from developing connections with children for the purpose of sexual abuse or trafficking.
"This is the first arrest that we've made for this offense - and may be the first in Northeast Texas," the police department said.
Riddle was booked into the Bi-State Jail, where his bond was set at $100,000.