Pro footballer hits on chat room teen

From minor league to beleaguring minors

By Linda Harrison in New York • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 1st November 2000 21:11 GMT

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A US professional football player is in custody over allegedly making sexual advances to a teen he met over the Net.

The 15-year-old girl told police she first encountered John Willis Davidson in an online chat room. At the time he was playing for the Bismarck Blaze of the Arena Football League, and allegedly used his status to attract the North Dakota teenager.

"He was a professional football player, and that's what drew her to talking to him," said Jeff Broumas of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department, KCRA reported.

This is not the first allegation of sexual misconduct against the football player. Two months ago he was arrested in Modesto, California, after arranging to meet what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. It was in fact a police officer.

"We're taking about a man who travelled with the football team. The Internet is worldwide. He could have talked to anybody from anywhere," Broumas added.

Davidson is in custody on a $200,000 bond, and no doubt pondering the charges he reportedly faces - of attempted child molestation and lewd and lascivious behaviour over the Internet. ®