Meriden police say man showed up to meet a 13-year-old. It was an undercover officer.

MERIDEN -  Police said a man was apprehended last week in an undercover sting when he tried to meet what he believed was a minor for sex.

Victor Velez, Jr., 53, was charged with criminal attempt at risk of injury to a minor, second-degree sexual assault and criminal attempt/commercial sexual abuse of a minor, Meriden police said. Police did not release Velez's town of residence. 

Police said Velez met up with an undercover officer, posing as a 13-year-old girl, on Sept. 3. 

Velez was held on a $750,000 bond and scheduled to appear in state Superior Court on Sept. 17, police said. 

"Operations such as these are designed to identify and apprehend individuals who seek to exploit children before they have the opportunity to victimize an actual child," police said. "Protecting children and ensuring the safety of our community will continue to be a top priority." 

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This article originally published at Meriden police say man showed up to meet a 13-year-old. It was an undercover officer..