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Lake Forest man faces sex charge after connecting with teen on Nextdoor app, court papers state

KING COUNTY, Wash. — A Lake Forest Park man is facing a charge of commercial sexual abuse of a minor, after allegedly trying to connect with a 13-year-old boy on the app Nextdoor to lure him to his home and pay for sex in May.

According to court documents, the teen posted on the app that he was looking for odd jobs in his neighborhood to earn money. He indicated that he and his brother could help with a moving project, lawn care, and dog walking, when he was contacted by 47-year-old Michael Varner.

Varner allegedly said to the teen, “I have a job for just the 13-year-old,” and then began texting the boy, court documents stated.

According to court documents, Varner’s intent was to take advantage of the boy and sexually abuse him.

Varner allegedly offered the boy $100 in cash to have “sexual fun,” and even sent the boy a photo of himself lying on a bed, court documents stated.

When Bellevue police got involved and investigated the communications between Varner and the teen, a search warrant was served later and Varner was arrested June 24.

During an interview with police, Varner told them, “The child was blackmailing him for money but could not explain why we (the police) did not have those messages,” according to police documents.

Varner is due in court in two weeks.