Maryland man charged with soliciting person online who he believed was a minor after undercover operation in Virginia

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Maryland man has been charged with two counts of soliciting a person online who he believed was a minor after officials carried out an undercover operation in Virginia.

On Wednesday, March 4, a Rockingham County Circuit Court jury found 41-year-old Justin Craig Anthony, of Williamsport, Md., guilty on two counts of soliciting a person online who he believed was a minor, according to a social media post by Virginia State Police.

Police said the verdict followed an online investigation carried out by the Northern Virginia Metro D.C. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force from March 4, 2024, through March 6, 2024, in Rockingham County.

According to officials, Anthony solicited an undercover Virginia State Police Special Agent who was operating online as a 13-year-old girl, in violation of Virginia law, by proposing she expose herself and engage in sexual acts with him.

Police said Anthony was arrested on May 21, 2024.

Anthony was a convicted Tier 1 sex offender and on supervised probation in Maryland at the time of the new 2024 incidents in Virginia, according to police. He was reportedly on probation for prior child pornography convictions in Maryland.

The Rockingham Commonwealth's Attorney's Office reportedly prosecuted in the case and remains a member of the ICAC Task Force.

Anthony is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22.

"The commonwealth appreciates the hard work and dedication of the Virginia State Police and the NOVA/DC ICAC Task Force in the continuing mission of bringing child sexual exploitation offenders to justice," said Alycia M. P. Eldridge, senior assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg. "The jury verdicts of guilty handed down in this case ensure accountability for the defendant and safety for the community."

If you believe a child is being abused, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) online or call 1-800-843-5678.

"As a community, it is up to everyone to help keep children safe," Virginia State Police wrote in the post.