HARDIN COUNTY — A 29-year-old man is jailed on $2 million bond in Hardin County, accused of driving from California and meeting a 13-year-old girl and having sex with her.

Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins tells KFDM/Fox 4 News 29-year-old Dillon Matthew Ellis is accused of driving from California to the Lumberton area to meet a 13-year-old girl he’d communicated with online.

Dillon Matthew Ellis is charged with Trafficking in Persons, a first degree felony, and Interference With Child Custody. J.P.Melissa Minton set two, $1 million bonds. The chief says he anticipates more charges will be filed against Ellis.

Chief Sullins says Ellis arrived in Southeast Texas on Sunday, January 9. According to Sullins, Ellis met the 13-year-old online, and when he arrived, he picked her up Sunday night and was with her for a period of time Sunday evening and again Monday evening.

Sullins says Lumberton Police received a call Tuesday morning, reporting a suspicious vehicle on Kendrick Lane in Lumberton. Police responded and the chief says they discovered Ellis and the teenage girl in the vehicle. Sullins says Ellis claimed he thought the girl was 19-years-old. Chief Sullins says Ellis admitted having sex with the girl and the chief says they have evidence he knew she was only 13 years old.

The chief says they called the child’s mother and took Ellis to the police station. Texas Ranger Josh Benson and a DPS special investigator who works these types of cases are now working this one. Ellis was jailed and investigators have warrants to search his phone.

“It’s important that he’s off the street and in custody,” Chief Sullins told KFDM/Fox 4. “We know he’s not going to hurt anyone.

Written by KFDM/Fox 4