Vine Grove man faces federal charges related to conversations online

Staff Report

LOUISVILLE — A Vine Grove man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of using the Internet to attempt to persuade, induce or entice a 14-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity.

Nathan A. Hughes, 24, was arrested July 24 on a federal warrant and could face life in prison as well as a $250,000 fine if convicted. The mandatory minimum sentence is 10 years.

According to a U.S. District Court statement, Hughes allegedly chatted online between July 7 and July 24 with an undercover detective with the Louisville Metro Police Department Crimes Against Children Unit posing as a 14-year-old girl.

Hughes discussed meeting the 14-year-old and engaging in sexual acts, the report said. He also reportedly described the type of car he drove and told her his age.

On July 24, meeting at a Louisville park was discussed. Police saw a black Grand Am described in the online conversation at the park and identified the driver as the person seen in a photo on Yahoo Instant Messenger.

Hughes is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 16 in Louisville.