A 55-year-old Watertown man was arrested by Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies Thursday for allegedly sending “inappropriate text messages” to a 16-year-old girl.

Paul J. Avallone, a sex offender registered with the state, was charged with disseminating indecent material to minors, third-degree attempted rape, third-degree attempted criminal sex act and endangering the welfare of a child, deputies said.

He was arraigned in Watertown Town Court and sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building where he was held Thursday on a $5,000 bail.

Deputies said a complaint was made New Year’s Eve that Mr. Avallone, of 636 Bronson St., Apt. 1, started contacting the victim around Christmas through Facebook and text messages.

A female detective with the sheriff’s department tricked him into believing she was the victim and caught the man at Salmon Run Mall in Watertown, they said.

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