EMT worker tried to meet with underage girl for sex, officials say

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A Detroit EMT was arrested Thursday and charged Friday after police say he was sexting with an undercover cop who he believed to be the mom of an underage girl who was offering her daughter for sex.

40-year-old Mark Astalos served 13-years as a paramedic in the City of Detroit. In fact, he even used a picture of him in his uniform as his online profile picture.

He thought he was talking to a mother who was offering up her underage daughter for sex. In fact, it was an undercover Sergeant.

In court on Friday, he sat with his head hung low as charges were read against him.

The Brownstown township, and another man, 59-year-old Larry Privetts of the Southgate/Taylor area, were arrested in Harrison township during a sting operation Wednesday. According to Macomb County Sherrif's detectives, the men showed up at different times, thinking they were meeting a 14-year-old girl for sex.

Privetts was arrested on two counts of sexual abuse and using a computer to commit a crime. Astalos faces a much lengthier sentence, possibly life in prison for producing and distributing child pornography online, and several counts of underage abuse.

Neither said anything in court on Friday.

The Detroit Fire Department's commissioners office is not tolerating the acts of their employee, saying in a statement,

"We cannot comment on an active criminal investigation. Once we were made aware of these allegations and charges, we immediately suspended this employee without pay. We also have contacted the state to explore the possible revocation of his medic license."  

Both men are due back in court December 23, where we will learn more on what police discovered.

Bond was set at $100,000, on two conditions that he does send have any contact with anyone under 18 or access to the Internet.