I just read this thread the past 20 minutes. I've been a LEO for 15 years and 6 of those years involved child abuse, sexual abuse, and online exploitation. Id bet the farm Th0mas was trying to engage in some grooming of these young girls.
Many times there is no real intent to "groom". But, then the opportunities and possibilities become more evident and available as time passes. One thing can lead to another. Children are curious... some adults are susceptible to temptation. This is not to say the world is not full of deliberate predators, but simply to point out that avoidance of certain situations BY ALL OF US... young or old, male or female, is the best course of action.