A Washington man made his initial appearance in North Central District Court on Friday for 18 felony charges stemming from alleged inappropriate online interactions with a Minot teenager.

John Marshal Eggleston IV, 42, Seattle, appeared before Judge Richard Hagar Friday afternoon. According to court filings, Eggleston has been charged with six counts of promoting obscene sexual performances by a minor, a Class A felony; 10 counts of permitting a minor to participate in an obscene performance, one count of promoting obscenity to minors, and one count of luring minors by computer, all Class C felonies.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the alleged victim filed a report with the Minot Police Department in February that she had been having an inappropriate relationship with an adult online, whom she identified as Eggleston. The teen said Eggleston began following her on social media platforms sometime in January, and requested videos and sexual images from her even though he knew she was underage.

Investigators were able to review and document a myriad of exchanges of the videos and images on a messaging platform, as well as a number of gifts Eggleston allegedly purchased for the teen. According to court documents, Eggleston purchased an Amtrak ticket in July for the teen to travel from Minot to Washington.

The warrant for Eggleston’s arrest was issued on July 12 and was served on Thursday. He is being held at the Ward County Jail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17.