A Boise man is charged with sexual battery of a minor for having illegal sexual contact with a 16-year-old girl he met online.
Josiah P. Kershner is being held in the Ada County Jail on a $200,000 bond.
Ada County Sheriff’s deputies began their investigation of the 32-year-old Kershner on Sunday after being contacted by a third party. By the end of the day he was in jail.
Kershner contacted the girl earlier this summer through an online dating website. The conversation then switched over to Google Gmail accounts.
Kershner arranged to pick up the girl near her Kuna home Sunday afternoon. They then went to another area, where he had illegal sexual contact with the girl.
A short time later, deputies were called and began their investigation. Kershner continued to send messages to the girl after dropping her off.
Deputies identified Kershner — who was first listed as a registered sex offender in the State of Washington in 2006 in connection with an internet enticement sting operation — at a home in Boise. Deputies arrested him a short time later.
Kershner’s next court appearance is set for Aug. 10. Detectives are working to determine if Kershner has any other victims.