Man confronted by group of teens after allegedly offering to pay 15-year-old girl for sex

SANDY, Utah ((KTVX) — A Utah man is facing criminal charges after allegedly offering to pay a minor $700 for sex and being confronted by more than 20 teens at a Sandy mall.

According to court documents, Bryce Stephen Ray, 49, of West Haven, used Snapchat to chat with a 15-year-old high school student. During their conversation, Ray allegedly never revealed his real name but sent a photo of himself through the app.

Ray then offered the victim money in exchange for sex so she could buy clothes. Although the teenager told Ray she was underage, the two agreed to meet at the South Town Mall in Sandy.

On Monday, July 9, a Sandy Police Department officer responded to the mall after receiving reports that a group of teenagers were confronting a man. When he arrived, the officer said he found “approximately 20 teenagers yelling at an older man, identified as Ray, calling him a pedophile.”

According to the Sandy Police Department, Ray had a check for $360 on him and had agreed with the teen to send her an additional $350 via CashApp.

Ray was charged with one count of seduction of a minor and one count of sexual solicitation of a child, both second-degree felonies.

Ray had his first hearing on Tuesday, July 16, where he was assigned an attorney. A detention hearing has been set for Monday, July 22. Ray is currently being held without bail, pending his detention hearing.