Porterville man trying to meet girl for sex served prison time for similar crime, cops say

A man once convicted of lewd acts with a young girl was arrested Thursday on suspicion of a similar crime, according to Porterville police.

Keith Russell, 26, was arrested at his Porterville home after detectives say he sent sexual photos of himself to a 14-year-old girl.

Russell, a parolee, was also using social media to arrange a meeting with the girl for sexual purposes, police said in a news release.

Accessing social media is a violation of Russell’s parole for his 2012 conviction of lewd and lascivious acts with an 11-year-old girl, police said.

He also used social media to chat with the victim in that case, according to the release. Russell served a sentence in state prison for his conviction, police said.

A school resource officer reported the new allegation to police on Dec. 2, the release said.

Russell was booked into the Tulare County South County Detention Facility on suspicion of arranging to meet with a minor for sex, annoying or molesting a child with sexual intent, sending harmful matter to a child, and a parole violation.

His bail was set at $185,000.

Police ask anyone who had inappropriate contact with Russell in person or through social media to contact Detective Mark Lightfoot at 559-782-7400.

This story was originally published December 5, 2019 at 8:05 PM.