Man arrested for online solicitation of a minor

22-year-old Nickolas Black was arrested on Friday, January 24th for the online solicitation of a minor after he traveled to meet what he thought would be a 15-year-old girl and instead, met her 17-year-old friend.

According to WHNT the 17-year-old became aware that Black had messaged his 15-year-old friend through Instagram.  He had evidently seen messages from the same individual sent to some of his other friends as well.

He continued the conversation with Black, posing as the young girl and eventually set up a meeting which he then recorded and posted online.

Guntersville Police Chief Jim Peterson stated that the charges currently filed against Black are related to a single underage victim, but more charges could be filed in the future.

He is currently in custody of the Marshall County Sheriff's Office and being held in the Marshall County Jail in lieu of $250,000 secured bond. He has been charged with traveling to meet a child for unlawful sex, electronic solicitation of a child, and transmission of obscene material to a child.

According to the Marshall County District Attorney's Office, if convicted on the charge for traveling to meet a child for sex, Black could face between 10 and 99 years behind bars and a fine of up to $60,000.

If convicted on the charges for online solicitation or sending obscene material, Black could face an additional 2 to 20 years for each charge with the possibility of a fine of up to $30,000 for each charge.