Gadsden man arrested on sex charges

James Ward

Authorities in Gadsden have arrested and charged a man they say tried to communicate with an undercover police officer he thought to be a 15-year-old girl.
29-year-old James Ward is being held in the Etowah County Jail.
Members of the department's Special Projects Team said Ward contacted someone through social media believing that person was a 15-year-old girl, but it was actually a false identity set up by investigators, including a photo of a female police officer from when she was in her teens.
Police say Ward swapped messages for a day then asked to meet her at a Gadsden apartment complex. When he showed up, he was arrested.
Police have charged Ward with traveling to meet a child under 18. He's being held without bond.