Bay County Man Charged for Soliciting a Minor Online

BAY COUNTY, FL – On September 4, 2024, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Bay County man for charges relating to soliciting online a minor for sexual activity.

In August BCSO investigators received a lead from the FBI that a Bay County man identified as James Champion was conversing online with a person he believed to be a child. During the online communications Champion made clear his desire for a sexual relationship with the online “child”, a relationship he cautioned should remain a secret between him and the “child” 

On September 4, BCSO investigators and FBI agents served a search warrant on Champion’s residence. Champion’s electronic devices contained evidence of multiple online chats and chat applications. James Champion, age 48, was taken into custody and charged with Soliciting a Minor Online for Sexual Activity, as well as Failure to Register a Social Media Account as a Sexual Offender. He is in the Bay County Jail and goes to first appearance in front of a Bay County Judge today.

Sheriff Tommy Ford believes this case is yet another example of why parents must closely monitor their child’s online activity. “Sexual offenders cruise the same social media platforms used by our children,” Sheriff Ford said. “Their primary intention is to use these applications for the sexual exploitation of our children.”

 Sheriff Ford would also like to thank the FBI for their assistance in this investigation. Working together with our law enforcement partners makes Bay County safer for our residents and visitors.