An Orlando camp director was detained after a 13-day police sting operation in which the 39-year-old male planned to have sex with a teen girl, according to authorities.
The camp director is suspected of contacting a teen girl’s online profile and arranging for sex with her at her house, according to Orlando Police.
Terrance Perkins, 39, of Maitland, a camp director at Shalom Orlando, was arrested as part of an Orlando Police Department sting operation for alleged solicitation of a minor, according to the community center’s CEO, Marni Mandell.
The investigation began around March 27, when a Homeland Security Investigations special agent posed as a 14-year-old girl online as part of a joint investigation to target people involved in child exploitation online, according to an arrest document from the Orlando Police Department.
Communication between Perkins and “the girl”
Perkins contacted the investigator’s profile, and after learning that “the girl” was 14 years old, they discussed getting to know her more, according to the arrest complaint.
Police said Perkins emailed the girl an “eggplant emoji” and asked for images of “the girl’s” legs. Perkins also talked about preparing sexual actions with “the girl,” according to Orlando police.
Perkins planned to meet the girl two days later, on March 29, and park a block away from her home, according to the affidavit. On his way to “the girl’s” house at 1:30 a.m., he reportedly messaged, “I’m getting nervous. Sorry, I can’t. “I want to, but it is too soon. “It’s not worth risking everything and going to jail.”
Perkins later contacted “the girl” on March 31, April 1, April 4, and April 7, requesting additional images and sending “eggplant” emojis, according to the complaint.
Arrested in sting operation
Around 8:30 p.m. on April 8, Perkins arrived at a predetermined location in Orange County to meet and engage in sexual acts with “the girl,” according to authorities. Orlando police arrested him and interviewed him. Perkins informed officers during the interview that if “the girl” was genuine, he would have done something wrong, according to the affidavit. He apologized and admitted he made a mistake, subsequently writing an apology, police said.
Investigators discovered three huge cans of alcoholic beverages in Perkins’ truck.
Mandell verified that Perkins was promptly terminated from the camp upon his arrest.
Perkins is charged with five counts, including obscene communication—travel to meet after luring a child; solicitation of a minor using a computer; unlawful use of a two-way communication device; contributing to a minor’s delinquency; and attempted lewd or lascivious battery, according to an Orlando Police arrest affidavit.
It’s unclear if Perkins was involved in any additional incidences of soliciting minors.
“We are not aware of any reports of misconduct involving Mr. Perkins with our community,” Shalom Orlando’s statement said. “The Department of Children and Families has indicated that, at this time, there is no reason to believe that any of the alleged behavior involved our campers, our campus or our program.”
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