CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A North Carolina man was sentenced to over 12 years in federal prison for traveling to Virginia to engage in sexual activity with a minor he met online.

Rayvon Birden, 29, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was sentenced to 150 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in sexually illicit conduct. According to court documents, Birden met a 14-year-old girl on Instagram and falsely claimed to be a 16-year-old named “Nolan.”

Birden and the minor communicated regularly through text messages and Facetime, during which Birden received nude images from the girl and expressed his desire to meet her and have sexual intercourse with her. He later drove from North Carolina to a hotel near her Virginia home, where they engaged in sexual activity on multiple occasions, at least one of which Birden filmed.

Homeland Security Investigations – Harrisonburg, Virginia in conjunction with the Albemarle County Police Department and the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan E. McKay is prosecuting the case.

United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh and Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C. made the announcement.