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Area man faces importuning charges

LISBON — An 18-year-old Lisbon area man is facing two counts of importuning after he allegedly attempted to pay a 12-year-old girl $100 for sex on Wednesday.

A July 8 preliminary hearing was set for Jamie L. Diem, 18, state Route 154, Lisbon, was caught in East Palestine after he allegedly came to the village to meet someone he thought was a 12-year-old girl.

According to court documents, Patrolman Dan Haueter was investigating a complaint from a resident that a man had sent a message using Facebook Messenger, requested sex from an actual 12-year-old girl in exchange for $100. Diem reportedly knew the age of the girl he was propositioning.

Haueter, who has conducted similar investigations when he serves as the police chief in New Waterford, posed as another 12-year-old girl and started a conversation with Diem using Messenger as well. Diem reportedly solicited sex at some point during that conversation and agreed to meet the child in East Palestine. He came to the arranged meeting area to engage in sexual activity and was taken into custody.

Diem appeared in county Municipal Court by video arraignment from the county jail on Thursday morning and the preliminary hearing was scheduled before Judge Timothy McNicol.

Diem’s bond is set at $100,000 cash or surety. If he does make bond, McNicol has ordered to Diem to have no contact with any minors and not to use the internet or any form of social media. Diem has indicated he will be hiring defense counsel, Charley Kidder.

Both charges are third-degree felonies, which could each lead to a three-year prison sentence.

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