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Aventura Man Accused Of Setting Up Sexual Rendezvous With 13-Year-Old

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DANIA BEACH (CBSMiami) -- An Aventura man is accused of trying to pick up a young boy online, Broward deputies say.

Reid Rago, 45, faced a judge Wednesday in bond court where prosecutors were concerned about his whereabouts.

"He volunteers at Broward Humane Society with children, helping children adopt animals. His previous employment was related to fundraising for youth organizations. This is a person who is around children all the time," said a prosecutor in court.

The Humane Society of Broward County said it did a background check and he passed. He's volunteered there since January, working only Monday's from 12-1 when there are few children. A spokesperson said his job was to direct the public to animals and that he always worked in public areas, with others around.

According to his arrest report, Rago had posted that he was looking for a "young butt" on an online forum on September 27th.

"This man made a post on an online forum that he was looking to have sex with a young child. Our detectives reached out to him, they posed as a 13-year-old child," said Joy Oglesby with the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO).

Investigators said the conversation quickly turned sexual with Rago reportedly stating he was 36-years-old. The two also exchanged pictures, according to the report.

"The defendant, at that time, believed he was speaking with a 13-year-old child and he had very sexual and inappropriate conversations with our detectives, who he understood to be a 13-year-old boy," said Oglesby.

Days later, the undercover detective sent Rago a message saying, "maybe this is all wrong n we shouldnt do it sry 4 wastin ur time."

Rago responded, "I wish you were older. Sorry. You should try to fool around with guys your age and not look for older guys," investigators said.

But in October, Rago reportedly contacted the detective, posing as a 13-year-old, again and set up a rendezvous on October 11th, according to his arrest report.

Rago, according to the report, told the undercover officer, who he thought was a child, "I am okay with your age, but needs to be our secret." When detectives say he made contact again, saying about the age, he reportedly said, "I am cool with it, as long as it remains our secret."

It all ended Tuesday at a Dania Beach Burger King, when deputies said he tried to meet up for sex.

"The defendant traveled from his home to this restaurant intending to have sex with a 13-year-old child. At that time, he actually was met with one of our detectives," said Oglesby.

When Rago showed up at their meetup spot, he was charged with attempting to lure a child and traveling to meet with a minor.

In bond court on Wednesday, the judge set a bond for him with strings attached.

"There is to be no use of any internet at all," said the judge.

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