A Winston-Salem man is in the Davie County Detention Center, accused of using social media to lure two Davie middle school girls into sexual situations.

James Nesbitt, 49, of Dorset Road, is being held in lieu of a $1.6 million bond. Multiple charges include contributing to the deliquency of a juvenile, sexual assault, first-degree kidnapping, soliciting a minor by computer, indecent liberties with a minor, soliciting crime against nature, first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, disseminating material harmful to a minor and statutory sex offense against a person under age 15.

Davie County Sheriff J.D. Hartman said the charges involved two local middle school girls. The investigation started in January after one of the girls told someone at their school they had sent photos to the suspect.

Nesbitt, Hartman said, has a long record of sex offenses, is a registered sex offender, and has spent time in prison.

Authorities from other counties are investigating similar claims against Nesbitt. The investigation was aided by officers from Forsyth County, Winston-Salem, Surry, Randolph and Iredell counties.

“He goes on the internet, contacting children through sites young people use,” Hartman said. The suspect first identifies himself as a teen-age girl, and offers to introduce them to one of his friends. The conversations escalate to asking for photos, to meetings with the girls.

“Parents should pay attention to what their children are doing, who they’re talking to on the internet, on their telephones,” Hartman said. “Make yourself aware of the apps designed for children to hide stuff from their parents. Talk to your children.”

The girls are receiving counseling, and were initially interviewed at The Dragonfly House. “That’s a tremendous asset to us during investigations of this type.”