Police say Tereso DeJesus Ruiz-Hernandez met the young teen on Facebook last month, telling her he was 18, while she admitted being 13.
They say he arranged to meet the victim on multiple occasions in Glen Cove. During these encounters, he allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the victim in his car.
Police say that on August 9, an alert patrol officer noticed a 2001 Nissan Maxima sitting in the parking lot of the tennis courts near Glen Cove High School on Old Tappan Road.
The officer investigated and found the suspect with the girl, fully clothed and just talking. The officer thought it was suspicious and drove the girl home.
She denied that anything had happened, but two days later her family called police and said this had been their fourth encounter.
They had apparently met for sex three different times.
Police believe if the cop hadn't interrupted them, it would have been a fourth time.
The investigation led to the arrest of Ruiz-Hernandez on Monday at 6:50 p.m. in his Bayville home. Police are reportedly examining his phone and computer.
Detectives request anyone who may know of additional victims to contact Nassau County Special Victims Squad or your local police department.
Ruiz-Hernandez is charged with second-degree rape and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual act. Bail was set at $20,000 cash or bond.