LEX, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A McDowell County man is facing criminal charges after deputies say he offered a 14-year-old girl money in exchange for sexual acts during an early morning encounter.
According to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were patrolling near State Route 80 around 3:05 a.m. on March 15, 2026, when they were flagged down at the Little General store in the Lex area.
Two individuals alerted deputies to a situation involving a juvenile girl who had allegedly been offered money for sexual acts. Deputies then spoke with the 14-year-old, who reported she had been riding in a side-by-side vehicle with the suspect, identified as James Wayne Bailey.
The juvenile told investigators that Bailey began touching her arm and leg before giving her an alcoholic beverage and offering between $500 and $1,000 in exchange for oral sex. She said she felt uncomfortable and left the situation with others who brought the matter to law enforcement’s attention.
Deputies transported the juvenile to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office to reunite her with a parent. During a follow-up interview, the teen told investigators that Bailey had been communicating with her through Facebook.
A forensic interview was later conducted at a child advocacy center, where the juvenile stated she had known Bailey for several years as a family acquaintance. She told investigators that his behavior changed after dropping off another passenger, at which point he allegedly made the offer and continued pressuring her.
Bailey was arrested on March 24th, 2026, at his home.
Chief Deputy Martin conducted an interview with Bailey, and he admitted to picking up the juvenile and admitted to purchasing alcohol. Bailey admitted to offering the child $500 to $1,000 dollars to perform oral sex on her, but said he only meant it as a joke.
Bailey was charged with Solicitation of a minor by other means due to the defendant attempting to solicit, entice, and seduce a minor to engage in an illegal sex act.
