Raleigh firefighter held in Guilford

RALEIGH -- City officials suspended a veteran Raleigh firefighter Friday after learning he was charged with trying to solicit a minor for sex over the Internet.

The Piedmont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Guilford County on Thursday charged Richard Brandon Wells, 31, of Zebulon with one felony count each of solicitation of a minor by computer to commit an unlawful sex act and attempted indecent liberties with a minor, according to a task force press release.

Wells has been a city firefighter since Jan. 5, 2004. He was paid an annual salary of $43,022, said Jayne Kirkpatrick, a city spokeswoman.

Wells was arrested Thursday afternoon in Raleigh, authorities reported.

The investigation began several months ago when Wells started communicating over the Internet with an undercover officer he thought was a 14-year-old girl, the task force said. Investigators accuse him of chatting with the undercover officer about traveling to her location for the purpose of a sexual encounter, according to the press release.

Wells remained in custody at the Guilford County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, authorities reported.