A Bristol man is facing charges of statutory rape Friday afternoon.
The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office says 24-year-old Joel Cormier told officers he had a girlfriend under the age of 18 that he had been intimate with since January.
Detectives investigated the case and learned Cormier met the girl through Facebook and, they say, he was aware that she was only 16 years old.
Officers also say that in May the girl's mother had forbidden Cormier to have any more contact with her daughter, but they believe the relationship continued.
Cormier is being charged with statutory rape. His bond is set at $40,000.
