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Largo police: Man, 24, sought to rape 14-year-old girl

 
Michael Douglas Ludwig, 24, was arrested after Largo police said he threatened to rape a 14-year-old girl, who was actually a detective posing as the teen online. [Courtesy of Largo Police Department]
Michael Douglas Ludwig, 24, was arrested after Largo police said he threatened to rape a 14-year-old girl, who was actually a detective posing as the teen online. [Courtesy of Largo Police Department]
Published Aug. 24, 2017

LARGO — A 24-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after police said he threatened to rape a 14-year-old girl. In reality, police said he was talking to a Largo detective posing as the teen online.

Michael Douglas Ludwig, of 10009 Frierson Lake Dr. in Hudson, faces four counts of seduction of a child using the internet; and one count each of traveling to meet a minor, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and transmission of harmful material to a minor.

According to Largo police, Ludwig made several posts on a social media website expressing his desire to engage in a "rape fantasy with young schoolgirls." Detective Lance Moore responded, pretending to be a 14-year-old girl. Police said Ludwig was aware that he was communicating with someone whom he believed to be a minor.

Ludwig became more aggressive as the conversation continued. He ordered the teen to sneak out of her house and said he was going to rape her, police said, and nude photos of himself.

On Wednesday, he went to a house in Largo with the intention of engaging in intercourse with the girl. That's where officers arrested him. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and freed Thursday after posting $60,000 bail.