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PROVO — A man was booked into the Utah County Jail Saturday for investigation of rape after being caught in a Provo police sting operation.
Police say Jacob Clair Huff, 26, of Provo, enticed a 15-year-old girl to meet him on Aug. 3 at the Mountain View High School parking lot in Orem. Huff allegedly sent the girl text messages asking if she wanted to meet him for the first time and smoke marijuana.
After meeting at the high school, the two went to the parking lot of a business in the Provo River Bottoms, where Huff sexually assaulted the girl, according to Provo Police Sgt. Mathew Siufanua.
"That's what predators do, they seek after young and they seek after inexperienced," Siufanua said.
The victim told her mother and a 16-year-old friend about the alleged assault. Her friend sent text messages to Huff asking him to stop communicating with the victim, at which point Huff sent a series of messages to the 16-year-old asking if she wanted to meet him, Siufanua said.
Under police supervision, the 16-year-old friend arranged to meet with Huff on Saturday at a Smith's store in Provo. When Huff arrived he was taken into custody and questioned by police.
"Without her and her being courageous, we could not have caught this guy," Siufanua said.
Huff was booked into jail for investigation of object rape, unlawful sexual activity with a minor and two counts of enticing a minor.
Police say there could be more victims. They are asking anyone who's had contact with Huff to contact them at 801-852-6210.
Meanwhile, officers advise all parents to monitor who their kids are talking to on the phone and online.
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Written by Benjamin Wood with contributions from Sandra Yi.
