A Derby man is accused of propositioning a 13-year-old girl for sex and has been charged with attempted sexual assault.
Jeffrey Zelem, 46, approached a teen in May as she was hanging around in the downtown area of Shelton and offered to pay her for sex, Derby police said. When the girl said no, Zelem followed her and asked her again, police said.
The victim then met up with her friends and Zelem left the area, police said.
Zelem told detectives that he was in the downtown area that day and had a brief conversation with a young female, but denied he offered to pay her for sexual favors, police said.
Zelem was arrested on an active arrest warrant and charged with criminal attempt of sexual assault in the second degree, risk of injury to a minor and second-degree breach of peace.
He is being held on a $10,000 bond and is expected to appear at Derby Court on July 14.
