Alfredo Deleon Jr., 40, is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl in August 2019.

Deleon is charged in district court in Minot with Class AA felony gross sexual imposition and Class C felony possession of child pornography. He made an initial appearance on Thursday before North Central District Court Judge Todd Cresap.

“I’m a victim of entrapment,” Deleon told the judge, and asked to be released with an ankle monitor. Deleon told the judge he wants to fight to prove his innocence. When the judge asked if Deleon understood his rights, Deleon said he did because “I’m a pretty smart guy.”

Ward County State’s Attorney Roza Larson said Deleon has a criminal record from California dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, including charges such as burglary, domestic violence, and food stamp violations. No recent criminal history was reported. Larson considers him a risk to the safety of the community and to girls similar to the alleged victim. She noted that Deleon allegedly used his own children to lure the alleged victim when he approached her about babysitting them. Larson asked the judge to set bond at $500,000 cash.

“He preys on young girls,” said Larson.

Cresap set bond at $250,000 cash or corporate surety and ordered Deleon to have no contact with the alleged victim.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed with the court, Deleon had met the girl at her workplace and asked if she would be available to babysit his children. At that point they exchanged phone numbers. They communicated via text messages and texts for the next few weeks and, at least on two occasions, Deleon picked up the girl at her workplace and took her back to his apartment, where they engaged in sexual activity. Deleon also took explicit cell-phone photos of the girl. The girl’s manager became suspicious and contacted the girl’s parents. Larson said there was a delay in reporting the incident until last fall, but the probable cause affidavit states that the girl’s parents took her to the police station to make a report on Aug. 25, 2019.

The charge is a Class AA felony because the girl was under age 15 at the time of the incidents and Deleon was an adult over the age of 22.

A probable cause hearing in the case is scheduled for April 2.