Man accused of posing as teen online to lure Phoenix minors

PHOENIX (AP) - Authorities say a 26-year-old man is accused of posing as a teenager online in an attempt to meet minors for sex in the Phoenix area.

Phoenix police say Jake Stephen Pettenger is facing felony charges of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, computer tampers and aggravated assault.

They say would-be victims reported luring attempts after online encounters with Pettenger.

Detectives with the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tracked down Pettenger and served a search warrant on his Glendale home.

Police say Pettenger admitted he created fake social media profiles on which he claimed to be a 13-year-old.

He then allegedly used those profiles to lure minors for sex.

In the course of their investigation, police say detectives learned Pettenger allegedly assaulted a female acquaintance and seriously injured her.