An Absecon man is in jail after he allegedly sent naked photos to someone he thought was a 14-year-old boy he met on an online dating app.
But when Paul Smith Jr. got to the King’s Food Mart in Pleasantville, he was confronted by the man he really had been texting with: Cameron Decker, who as MrWEB helps capture adults who would meet up with minors for sex.
Smith, 29, claimed he had no intentions of meeting “Jay,” as he stood outside the market Saturday night, smoking a loose cigarette he had told the teen he was heading to buy.
Words aren’t all Smith sent to the “boy” he texted on Grindr.
Smith texted that he trades pictures on the app.
The boy asks what kind of pictures, with Smith asking, “What kind of pics do you want to see?”
When he’s told the surprise the teen, he sends a naked selfie, followed by three pictures that show close-ups.
Smith then sent a sexually explicit comment.
Outside the store, Smith explains he has a learning disability and now understands what he did wrong.
A man who is listening to the conversation tries to physically confront Smith at one point. But Decker asks him not to, explaining that Smith will likely be heading to jail.
A short time later, Smith tries to walk off, and Decker follows.
It turns into a foot chase, with an out-of-breath Decker trying to keep police aware of their location.
Decker had made arrangements with Absecon police, without realizing the store was in Pleasantville.
Both jurisdictions responded to the scene, with Absecon taking him into custody.
Smith is charged with endangering and obscene material, both third-degree charges.
He is in the Atlantic County Justice Facility awaiting a detention hearing.
Melton, 42, is also jailed pending a hearing.
