Florida deputy accused of sending explicit messages to 10-year-old girl from Coryell County on TikTok, authorities say
CORYELL COUNTY, Texas (KWTX) - A former deputy in Florida is accused of using TikTok to send explicit messages to a 10-year-old girl from Coryell County, Texas, according to authorities.
James Ford is accused of using TikTok to send explicit messages and photographs to a 10-year-old girl.
The girl told investigators a man online asked for nude pictures of her and sent her photos of his genitals. Texas investigators used one of those images to connect the account to Ford.
Investigators from the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office worked with Charlotte County and the Florida Division of the FBI to quickly arrest Ford.
At the time of his arrest, Ford allegedly admitted to asking for inappropriate pictures and videos of the child, according to investigators.
Ford was indicted on federal charges of coercion and transfer of obscene materials to minors.
Ford was initially arrested by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, where he formally worked as a deputy, at the end of October, after a Texas agency notified them of inappropriate messages between Ford and the child.
On Friday, he was re-arrested by federal agents on charges of harmful communication with a minor.
He is scheduled to appear in federal court next month, with his trial date scheduled in February 2026.
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