The Worst Way To "Celebrate" Your Birthday

AUGUST 19--A Florida Man arrested yesterday for allegedly arranging to have sex with a 14-year-old girl told cops that he was “just trying to celebrate” his upcoming birthday, which now may be marked from behind bars.

According to police, Anthony Petty, who turns 62 on Sunday, thought he was talking to a juvenile on the Kik chat app when he sent the child explicit photos and messages, as well as a video of himself masturbating.

Petty, in fact, was corresponding with an undercover detective posing as a girl.

Seen at right, Petty was arrested yesterday afternoon when he arrived to meet the girl at an apartment in St. Petersburg, not far from his residence in Seminole.

After being read his rights, Petty reportedly confessed to sending the girl explicit images and “planning on meeting with the juvenile…for sex.” Petty, cops say, “stated he was just trying to celebrate his birthday.”

Charged with a pair of felonies, Petty was booked into the Pinellas County jail, where the retiree is being held in lieu of $12,000 bond. (1 page)