In March 2011, James M. Lewis, 44, of Stafford County, began communicating online with what he believed were two underage girls. These conversations became sexual in nature.

Luckily, these two “girls” were members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office working with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

James M. Lewis

Lewis contacted the “girls” numerous times by email and Gmail chat. During this time Loudoun County detectives continued to pose as a 15-year-old girl and her 12-year-old neighbor.

During one of these chat sessions, Lewis activated his webcam and microphone and exposed himself to what he believed was a 12-year-old girl. While there was a discussion of meeting in person, he claimed that he did not intend to go through with it.

Lewis pleaded guilty to two felony counts of using a communications system to facilitate certain crimes against children and admitted to the chats, emails and photo exchange.

Lewis was sentenced Sept. 14 to 5 years in prison by Judge Thomas D. Horne of the Loudoun County Circuit Court.

Once his prison term is completed, Lewis will also face an additional 15 years of suspended time. During this period, he is prohibited from unsupervised contact with underage females and his Internet usage will be monitored by a probation officer. Because of the nature of the offense, Lewis will undergo sexual offender treatment during the first 10 years of his probation and must register as a sex offender under Virginia’s Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act.

According to a statement by the Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Lewis may additional charges may be pending in other jurisdictions as the investigation into his activities continue.