Honk News (Polk County, FL) – Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stated that a man from West Palm Beach, who is accused of grooming a 14-year-old girl he met online, chose the wrong county for such actions against a child.
A 22-year-old named Emerick Priddy reportedly met the victim on Snapchat and persuaded her to leave her home at night to meet him.
Authorities report that Priddy traveled from West Palm Beach to the girl’s residence, where she exited through a bedroom window and entered his vehicle.
Investigators report that Priddy drove her to a park, where they entered the backseat and had sexual relations. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that he informed the victim he was 17 years old when they met online.
When she informed him that she was 14 years old, deputies reported that he responded, “its prolly a one time thing” and “I aint worried.”
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Deputies found Priddy’s Honda Civic in a parking lot shortly before 3 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025. They reported that Priddy was in the backseat with the victim, and both were partially undressed.
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Priddy has been taken into custody and faces charges related to traveling to meet a minor for sexual purposes, lewd battery, sending harmful material to a minor, interfering with child custody, and using a two-way communication device in connection with a felony.
“Emerick Priddy picked the wrong county to come to and sexually batter a child,” Judd explained. “He’s now facing five felonies and hopefully will be registered as a sexual offender for the rest of his life.”