A 57-year-old Kenai resident was arrested last week after police say he convinced a minor to send him explicit images.
According to an affidavit included in charging documents, Kenai Police were told on April 18 that Ronald Morris had been using Snapchat to exchange sexual messages and images with a minor over two days, beginning April 17. In addition, they were told that Morris purchased a vape and marijuana for the minor.
The affidavit says that Kenai Police were able to confirm the photos and messages by looking at the phone of the minor, and acquired video recordings from a Kenai-area park and a local dispensary showing Morris meeting with the minor and purchasing the marijuana.
The affidavit says Morris told police that he had been communicating with the minor, that he knew they were too young and that he had provided marijuana joints.
Morris is charged with unlawful exploitation of a minor, enticement of a minor and third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. Each of the charges are Class B felonies. A dispatch from Kenai Police says he was taken to Wildwood Pretrial.
Morris was arraigned on Friday and is next scheduled to appear in court on May 6.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
