Authorities arrested Sidney Wayne Phillips, 25, Thursday, Dec. 13

A Blue Ridge man remains in the Hall County Jail without bond charged with sexual exploitation of children.

Authorities arrested Sidney Wayne Phillips, 25, Thursday, Dec. 13. The arrest comes after an undercover operation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Hall County officials, Phillips made contact with a child using a mobile app back on Nov. 9. What he didn't know, however, was that the exchange was a set-up by investigators.

During the messaging, authorities said Phillips turned the conversation to a sexual nature and requested to move the communication to text message. In continued conversation, Phillips reportedly asked the individual to meet him for a sexual interaction.

According to Investigators, Phillips agreed to a Nov. 10 meeting with the child at a Hall County business, but never showed up at that location. During the investigation, detectives were able to determine Phillips’ identity, and later arrested him.