ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. — A Maryland man was found guilty Wednesday in Rockingham County for online solicitation of a minor following an undercover police investigation.
According to the Virginia State Police, a Rockingham County Circuit Court jury convicted Justin Craig Anthony, 41, of Williamsport, Maryland, on two counts of online solicitation of a person believed to be a minor.
Authorities said the charges stem from a proactive online investigation conducted by the Northern Virginia–Metro D.C. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Investigators said Anthony contacted an undercover Virginia State Police special agent on March 6, 2024, believing the agent to be a 13-year-old girl.
Police said Anthony allegedly used electronic communication systems to propose that the minor expose herself and engage in sexual acts with him, actions that violate Virginia Code §18.2-374.3, which prohibits certain sexual communications with minors.
Investigators arrested Anthony on May 21, 2024, following the undercover operation in Rockingham County.
Authorities also stated Anthony was already a Tier 1 registered sex offender in Maryland and was on supervised probation at the time of the Virginia offenses. Officials said the probation was related to prior child pornography convictions in Maryland.
The Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case and works alongside the ICAC Task Force in investigating crimes involving online child exploitation.
Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alycia M. P. Eldridge said the jury’s decision reflects the importance of holding offenders accountable and protecting children from online predators.
Anthony is scheduled to be sentenced July 22, 2026, in Rockingham County Circuit Court.
Online solicitation cases often involve social media and messaging platforms, an issue that law enforcement agencies say continues to affect teenagers and young internet users.
Anyone with information about online child exploitation is encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at reportcybertip.org or 1-800-THE-LOST.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input.
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