SALEM — A homeless man who had been staying at a Salem motel is facing child enticement charges after he left a note for two girls he saw on a playground, inviting them to his room for sex and alcohol Sunday afternoon, police said.
James Dyke, 34, who lists an address in Chelsea but had been staying at the Clipper Ship Inn on Bridge Street, is being held on $10,000 bail at Middleton Jail, following his arraignment on Tuesday. Dyke pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The girls, who are 12 and 13, were at the Collins Cove playground around 1:30 p.m. when they noticed a "dirty and unkempt" man staring at them, which made them uncomfortable, according to a police report.
The man then left, leaving behind a piece of paper and a brochure for the Clipper Ship Inn.
The girls went over to look and found a note that said, "Room 138, your (sic) hot come anytime, sex, beer, bring your friend too. Your hot, Sgt. Jim. I make $4000 a month. your hot," according to the police report.
The girls, who are cousins, went home and told one girl's mother, who called police.
At the Clipper Ship Inn, police confronted Dyke, who admitted leaving the note but claimed that he believed the girls were "approximately 26," police said.
Police obtained a warrant and arrested Dyke on the child enticement charges.
Dyke already has a significant criminal record, including a 2004 conviction for animal cruelty, stemming from an incident in Gloucester in which he kicked a dog after the dog's owner confronted him about going through trash cans, according to court papers.
His record also includes convictions for assault, assault and battery, and drunken driving.
Salem District Court Judge Michael Lauranzano ordered that if Dyke makes bail, he is to have no contact with either girl.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 22.
If convicted of both counts, Dyke could face up to 10 years in state prison.
Courts reporter Julie Manganis may be reached at 978-338-2521 or jmanganis@salemnews.com.
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