$2,000 bail set for man who allegedly solicited girl for sex.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Gary V. Murray

WORCESTER - Bail was set at $2,000 cash yesterday for a 35-year-old city man accused of soliciting sex online from a 12-year-old Auburn girl.

Jeremy J. Taylor, 35, of 3 Meade St., Apt. 1, was arraigned yesterday morning in Central District Court on three counts of attempting to commit a crime (enticement of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child and rape of a child) and one count of accosting or annoying a person of the opposite sex.

Not-guilty pleas were entered on Mr. Taylor's behalf. Judge Michael G. Allard-Madaus set bail at $2,000 cash or $20,000 with surety and continued Mr. Taylor's case to Feb. 17.

The investigation that led to the charges began when a 12-year-old girl told a guidance counselor at the Auburn Middle School Thursday

that a man with whom she had been communicating on Facebook asked to meet her for sex, according to prosecutors and court records.

Assistant District Attorney Tracy Kennedy said Mr. Taylor told the girl he was 24 years old and was aware of the 12 year old's age. The prosecutor asked that $5,000 cash bail be set.

She told the court that Mr. Taylor had a criminal record that included defaults and convictions for breaking and entering, assault and battery, assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

Ms. Kennedy also said there was an ongoing investigation under way by the Stow Police Department into similar allegations against Mr. Taylor. Court records also make reference to a Lancaster girl who may have been in communication with Mr...