The Loudon County Sheriff's Department has arrested a Vonore man for allegedly entering a 12-year-old girl's home in Loudon County and having "sexual contact" with her.

Spencer L. Wells, 18, 985 Mayo Road, went to the girl's home on or about May 12 and "allegedly entered the bedroom window of the residence at which time sexual contact occurred," according to Loudon County Sheriff Tim Guider.

Guider said during an interview with Detective Jason Smith of the Loudon County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit, Wells admitted to the crime and was subsequently charged by Smith with one count of rape of child.

The incident came about after the two had previous contact on the phone, according to authorities.

"They were text messaging each other and he snuck into the house. She let him in a window," Guider said. "We were actually investigating a text she has sent him and her dad was upset about it and this all came out when we were interviewing her."

He said the girl's father became aware of the text messaging and contacted the Sheriff's Office.

Guider said this is a very serious charge and is based on the fact the female is considered a child and not a juvenile because she is under the age of 13. The child rape charge is a Class A felony that carries a 25-year minimum sentence.

Guider said the girl's age was the sticking point for the charges.

"If she had been13 it would have been statutory rape. Most people, when they hear the word rape they think it was a violent assault. That wasn't the case," he said. A 12-year-old cannot consent to sex.