WAVERLY, Nebraska (KOLN) – A Lincoln man is facing felony charges after attempting to lure a 9-year-old girl into his car, court records show.
Prosecutors have charged 66-year-old Ricky Muldoon with violating probation and attempted child seduction. Muldoon is a lifelong sex offender after three convictions.
According to an affidavit, a woman called police after her 9-year-old daughter ran into her home on Tuesday. The girl was riding her bike around 1 p.m. when a man began circling her in his vehicle.
The man, later identified as Muldoon, held out a $5 bill to the girl before getting out of the car and pointing into his trunk, officials wrote. Authorities believe Muldoon tried to lure the girl into his car, but she ran away in fear.
The girl ran home and her mother spotted Muldoon peeking in through a window. The woman opened the door and saw Muldoon drive away, according to the affidavit.
“The child did exactly what she should have done,” said Police Chief Ben Houchin. “She trusted her feelings and instincts, fled the area and got help.”
Officers were able to confirm the girl’s statement using surveillance video from the area. According to court documents, they used that video to identify Muldoon and his vehicle.
A deputy contacted Muldoon at his Lincoln home shortly before 8 p.m. that same day. Muldoon was coming home when the deputy stopped by. He wrote that Muldoon was guilty of “significant deception” before explaining what he had done.
Muldoon was arrested after speaking with the officer. He wrote that Muldoon had a condom on him and that Muldoon said it was “for today in case he could find someone of legal age.”
At his arraignment Thursday, a judge set Muldoon’s bail at 10% of $350,000. He is due back in court on Sept. 12.
Muldoon was convicted of child enticement in Hall County on September 10, 2013. He was also convicted of attempted child molestation in Arizona in 1986.
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