A 20-year-old California man is accused of exchanging explicit text messages with a 15-year-old Rensselaer County teen.

The victim reported the crime after she attended an FBI outreach event at her school to talk about child online safety, according to investigators.

The suspect, Devin Ravine, is in custody and awaiting transport to New York. He is charged with sexual exploitation of a child, according to a news conference on Monday with U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli.

Sarcone said Ravine used an alias “Derek Johnson,” and communicated with the teen on a dating app. Ravine said he was 39 years old.

Ravine sent a message “hi” around March 29. Then, the conversation turned sexual. He persuaded her to take still images and videos of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to court documents.

Sarcone said the victim told the FBI what had happened in April after an outreach presentation at her local school.

“Agents worked quickly, so by that evening, Ravine was in custody,” Sarcone said.

Tremaroli said the student came forward after the hourlong presentation. Agents contacted the FBI’s Los Angeles office. The suspect had used an alias, but they were able to track him down.

Tremaroli said this case highlights why it is important it is important to talk to students and to make them understand that it is not their fault.

“They need to know that this type of contact is not just inappropriate. It’s illegal. And we’re here to put a stop to it,” he said.

“In many instances, kids are too nervous to talk to their parents for fear of being in trouble. Sometimes the trusted adult is a school resource officer, a teacher or even a coach,” Tremaroli added.  

Learn more details about what investigators say how Ravine was communicating with the girl by watching video of Kumi Tucker’s story.