Man lies to 13-year-old about having leukemia and asks for nude pics to ‘ease the pain’

A 21-year-old man from Tennessee might not have cancer, but it certainly sounds as if he isn’t healthy.

Red Bank man James Nickolas Renfro is accused of using Facebook to try to lure a 13-year-old girl to the Northgate Mall, where he was met by authorities instead.

Prior to arranging the meeting, Renfro lied to the girl about having leukemia and asked her to send him nude pictures of herself to “ease the pain.”

Renfro, who, to reiterate, is cancer-free, is charged with solicitation of a minor, evading arrest, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Chattanooga police, Renfro was aware of the girl’s age and at one point even offered her money for the photos; he was also willing to trade for them.

During an interview with investigator Zach Fuller, Renfro reportedly said “he would have sent nude pictures of himself to the 13-year-old girl if she would have asked.”

Police set up the meeting at the mall with Renfro by logging onto the girl’s account. “The defendant told the 13-year-old girl he would be gentle and not to be nervous,” according to a report about the incident.

When Renfro arrived at the mall Wednesday afternoon, Chattanooga police officers arrested him after he tried to get away.

He is in custody on a $240,000 bond and is set to appear in court on Jan. 22.

[Times Free Press]