Inverness man arrested in sex sting

INVERNESS — It started with a provocative Internet ad and ended when law enforcement found the suspect in a parking lot with a .45-caliber handgun and duct tape, deputies said.

Special to the Chronicle

David Jefford.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Inverness man Tuesday who authorities said was corresponding with an undercover detective he thought was a 14-year-old girl interested in living out a rape fantasy.
David Jefford, 26, of 5250 E. Live Oak Lane, Inverness, was charged with traveling to meet a minor for sexual purposes, unlawful computer transmission and transmission of material harmful to minors using an electronic device.
“This should serve as a reminder to all parents to get nosy with your children,” said Sheriff Al Nienhuis in a media statement. “Know who they are talking to and what they are saying.”
Deputies said Jefford posted an advertisement on Craigslist requesting a woman who would be interested in a “rape fantasy sexual encounter.”
The posting, published Jan. 6, was answered by an undercover detective who posed as a 14-year-old girl. Both Jefford and the detective began chatting via Yahoo and their conversations continued until his arrest, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Through the online chats with Mr. Jefford, he discussed, in detail, what he planned on doing with the girl when they met,” stated Cpl. Wendy McGinnis, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.
During the online conversation, Jefford referred to an online written story from another website, which depicted a sexual encounter similar to what the suspect wanted, according to an arrest affidavit.
On Tuesday morning, Jefford drove to the corner of State Road 50 and Grove Road near the Suncoast Trail in an effort to meet the girl, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies showed up in the parking lot of Springbook Hospital and arrested Jefford, who surrendered peacefully.
 “We believe this could have been a very dangerous situation had he been successful in meeting with a 14-year-old girl,” Nienhuis said. “Once someone becomes a victim of a violent sex crime, if they survive, so much of their dignity, pride and self-confidence (are) taken away from them. It is a traumatic experience that would have lifelong effects.”
Jefford had recently applied for a job as a detention deputy with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. His application was denied earlier this week due to circumstances unrelated to his latest criminal case, deputies said.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.