Former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series stalwart Rick Crawford was arrested in Florida on Thursday, according to the Orlando Sentinel and other reports, after he allegedly tried to arrange a sexual encounter with a minor.
According to the criminal complaint, the 59-year-old Crawford was texting back and forth with an undercover police officer posing as the father of a 12-year-old. Crawford allegedly wanted to have sex with the 12-year-old and discussed the parameters of the deal with the undercover officer before he was arrested.
Crawford is charged with attempted enticement of a minor. Per the complaint, Crawford reached out after seeing a Craigslist ad that wanted people to inquire for a “dark taboo experience.” The details of the complaint are grotesque and unnerving.
He’s currently being held in the Seminole County Jail without bail.
Crawford allegedly texted the officer on Feb. 10 and the officer replied. Arrangements were then allegedly made over the ensuing days for Crawford to have an encounter with who he believed to be a 12-year-old girl while the officer posing as the father would watch.
Crawford then allegedly asked for a picture of the 12-year-old on Feb. 27 and the officer sent a childhood picture back of a woman who currently works in law enforcement. The meeting was set up for the following day and Crawford allegedly agreed to pay between $50 and $75.
They allegedly agreed to meet in a Wendy’s parking lot off Interstate 4 in Lake Mary, Florida, for the deal to be completed in the back of a van. After Crawford allegedly exchanged pleasantries with the undercover officer posing as the father, he was arrested by other police officers after he got out of his truck.
After he was arrested, Crawford allegedly told authorities that he wasn’t going to go forward with the arrangement had he seen that the girl he thought existed was actually underage.
Crawford won five races over a 16-year career in the Truck Series. His best year came in 2002 when he finished second in the points standings to Mike Bliss. He finished in the top 10 in the points standings seven different seasons.
According to Motorsport.com, NASCAR has removed Crawford from the sanctioning body’s appeals panel.
Read the full police report here:
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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.
Follow @NickBromberg on Twitter
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