A St. Joseph man is accused of trying to meet a 9-year-old at a park in Amazonia Monday to engage in sexual relations.
Alexander Wyble, 17 (age corrected, born in 1998) of St. Joseph is charged in Andrew County with a felony for attempted statutory rape.
According to court documents, in February Detective Alan Whaley began chatting using the Text Now application with and individual on a phone which had been turned over authorities due to suspicious messages received.
“I was later able to identify the subject as Alex Wyble,” said Det. Whaley. “The chats with Mr. Wyble consisted of discussing our ages such as the chat on 03-04-16 ‘Ok so you want to date him? How old are you? (I replied “9”) He is 17 and your mom can’t find out if you date him here he is if you want to text him. Mine is Alex but my little brother his is the same. Yes I like younger girls.'”
Det. Whaley said during another string of texts Wyble also engaged in instructing the minor child how to engage in sex acts and sent the child pornographic photos on four occasions.
“Mr. Wyble told the minor child to let him know when she was in St. Joseph and he would meet her,” Det. Whaley said. “On 04-04-16 Mr. Wyble instructed the minor child to meet him in Amazonia at the park and they could play. Mr. Wyble stated he would drive his ATV to the park.”
An agent observed Wyble drive a red ATV to a gravel lot across the the Amazonia city park located on K Highway.
“Wyble was observed watching the park from a small building located across the street from the park. Mr. Wyble sent the minor child a text, ‘I am Right across the street,'” Det. Whaley said.
Wyble was taken into custody Monday at that location.
“During the interview, Mr. Wyble confirmed he was chatting on Text Now as Alex, he made arrangements to meet a nine year old female in the city park and intended on engaging in sexual intercourse,” Det. Whaley said. “He also confirmed he sent adult pornography pictures to the nine year old.”
Wyble is being held without bail in the Andrew County Jail. A court date had not yet been sent as of Wednesday morning according to online court documents.