Appling Man in Custody Accused of Trying to Entice 12-Year-Old

Grovetown Police and the Burke County Sheriff's Office joined forces in a recent investigation that led to the arrest of an Appling man today, accused of trying to entice a person for sex that he believed was just 12-years-old.

According to investigators, 30-year-old Evan Popplewell allegedly sent explicit sexual messages to the person he had planned to meet at the Neighborhood Walmart on Wrightsboro Road in Grovetown today.  A news release says Popplewell was reminded throughout the exchange of messages that he was talking to a juvenile.  They say he continued to request that the two meet for sex.

"A member of the Waynesboro Police Department, who is assigned to the GBI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, was contacted May 29th by Mr. Popplewell through a social media app.  Mr. Popplewell believed he was conversing with a 12-year-old "juvenile" and begin sending sexually explicit messages," according to a news release from the Grovetown Police Department.

Investigators say Popplewell was taken into custody once he arrived at Walmart and positive identification was made.  He reportedly suffered minor injuries during his arrest and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Popplewell is being held at the Columbia County Detention Center on charges of Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes and two counts of Obscene Internet Contact with a Child