SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Someone is sending sexually graphic letters in the mail to young girls in Arizona and across the country, and it’s been going on for nearly a decade.

A Scottsdale mother, who did not want her last name revealed, received one of them. She said the letter arrived in the mail last summer.

"I'll tell you, (it was) scary,” said Jessica.

The letter was addressed to her 14-year-old daughter, and did not have a return address.

"It makes my stomach turn," said Jessica. "I opened it and a picture fell out, and it was an alleged girl he'd traumatized or whatever, and that ushered me to read the letter -- the two page letter. It went into great detail about how he found her, how he'd like to reach out to her, and what he’d like to do."

Police believe the letter Jessica's daughter received was from the same man who sent about 80 letters to girls, detailing his sexual desires. Investigators said the man targets girls between 8 and 14 years old, who are pictured in local newspapers. The victims are often wearing a swimsuit, leotard or dance outfit.

Jessica's daughter had just attended the Mighty Mud Mania charity event in Scottsdale. Her picture was featured in the local paper.

"It violates your privacy when it comes to your personal home. It's so close to you. That it's scary. I just remember shaking and crying and calling family members," said Jessica.

She thinks about safety in a whole new way now.

"I went out and bought a gun," said Jessica.

Police are asking anyone with information on this crime to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS. Tipsters can remain anonymous.