An aide to a Missouri Republican lawmaker is facing charges of soliciting sex from someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl, the Columbian Tribune reports.
Carter Ballmann, 24, was and aide to state Rep. Mark Matthiesen (R-Maryland Height) before being arrested at the congressman's office.
Ballmann allegedly solicited nude photos from an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl, police say. He also tried to convince the young girl to sneak out of her home and gave her his cellphone number.
Police identified Ballmann as having committed the alleged offense on the 200 block of Capital Avenue in Jefferson City, Missouri. That's the same address as the capital building, meaning he may have been soliciting the girl while at the congressman's office.
"While I think it’s important to allow the legal system to determine his guilt or innocence, I have made the immediate decision to end his employment with my office," said Republican Rep. Mark Matthiesen. "I have provided complete cooperation with law enforcement in this matter and will continue to do so going forward. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation and the legal process, I will not comment further."