LOGAN — A 32-year-old Centerville man has been arrested and charged with allegedly driving to Logan to have sex with an undercover police officer, posing as a 13-year-old girl. Jacob Ray Banks was booked into the Cache County Jail after driving to a prearranged location Friday afternoon, where police were waiting.

According to a probable cause statement, Banks allegedly began messaging the undercover officer Thursday. When the officer claimed to be a teenager in school, he replied that it was “kind of hot.”

Banks reportedly sent multiple messages describing graphically what he wished to do with the officer. A time and location was arranged to meet in Logan. He later arrived and was detained by law enforcement.

While in custody, Banks was heard uttering how he had made a mistake and was going to jail. He later told police during questioning, he hadn’t done anything wrong and the whole conversation was just a role play, the affidavit detailed.

As police questioned what Banks meant when he messaged the officer that it was “kind of hot” to be chatting with her. The suspect said it excited him because it was taboo that she was 13. He then requested an attorney, which ended the interview.

Banks was arraigned Monday afternoon in 1st District Court, appearing by web conference from jail. He was charged with three counts of enticing a minor by internet or text and three counts of sodomy on a child, all second-degree felonies.

Judge Angela Fonnesbeck said based on the charges, Banks constituted a danger to the community. She ordered him to be held temporarily without bail and appear again in court Jan. 3.

Banks did not speak but had hired an attorney to represent him. He faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.

Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

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