By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – A 35-year-old Alabaster man is being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $35,000 after police said he allegedly solicited and sexually abused an underage victim.

The Alabaster Police Department arrested Jeremey Douglas Loper who lists an address on Park Forest Lane in Alabaster on July 21.

He faces a felony count of electronic solicitation of a child and a misdemeanor count of second-degree sexual abuse.

Electronic solicitation of a child is a Class B felony, and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison upon conviction.

“This investigation started when a parent contacted Alabaster Police after her daughter had been assaulted by Loper,” Alabaster Police Chief Curtis Rigney wrote in a statement. “As the investigation progressed, disturbing evidence was uncovered that led to these charges today. However, the investigation is still ongoing.”

Anyone who thinks their child may have had contact with the suspect is urged to contact the Alabaster Police Department at 663-7401 or their local law enforcement agency.

The suspect’s mugshot will be posted after it is released by the Shelby County Jail.