Quebec's highest-ranked tennis player facing sex charges in Florida

The Canadian Press

Quebec's highest-ranked professional tennis player is facing five charges for allegedly soliciting sex from a minor in Florida.

Pierre-Ludovic Duclos-Lasnier was arrested yesterday in Florida during an elaborate sting by police and will face five charges in Bradenton, FL.

Police say the victim in the case is a 13-year-old girl to whom Duclos had allegedly been texting lewd photos of himself.

Police in Manatee County say they called him and a detective, posing as the victim, set up a meeting with Duclos, who was subsequently arrested.

Manatee County Sherrif spokesman Dave Bristow says the suspect is expected to make a first appearance before a judge this afternoon in Florida.

The solicitation allegedly began on a tennis court last Sunday with Duclos offering to coach the young girl, and it continued from there.

Duclos is a 27-year-old Quebec City native; according to the ATP world tour rankings, he is currently ranked 610th in singles.

He is Quebec's top-ranked tennis player, according to those rankings.