22-year-old man arrested for trying to have sex with 9-year-old girl

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A Fort Lauderdale man faced federal charges on Monday for trying to engage in sexual activities with a 9-year-old girl.

Authorities claim Joshua Asseraf interacted with an undercover employee with the Federal Bureau of Investigations for about five days. 

In one of his posts, he reportedly said, "I've had a 12y virgin before was amazing" and he shared photos he said belonged to the girl and another 11-year-old girl to prove his experience.

The undercover employee told the 22-year-old former lifeguard that he was the father of a girl named Jenny. He also told Asseraf he was sexually abusing her and was willing to "share." 

The FBI employee told Asseraf he had been abusing her since she was two, according to FBI Special Agent Matthew Fowler, who investigates crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

When Asseraf thought he was communicating with the girl, he said, "he told me about your little secret and it is very hot. I love it."

Asseraf later told the undercover employee posing as the girl's dad that the girl "wants to have fun. I'll buy her some stuffed animals."

U.S. Marshals arrested Asseraf at a hotel in Sunrise Aug. 29, according to court records. He had two stuffed animals, authorities said. 

Asseraf also told the FBI employee he had a girlfriend and was engaged to marry. On a Facebook account with his pictures, Asseraf identified himself as a single Broward College student from Marseille, France. 

Asseraf worked part-time with the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and was fired in September.