COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – A man was arrested on June 29 after traveling from St. Johns County to Columbia County to meet a minor with the intent to have sex, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Detectives say Conner Andrew Gooding, 20, communicated over social media with an undercover Columbia County Sheriff’s Office detective, described sexually explicit acts, sent obscene photographs and asked about the child’s and parents’ schedules to plan his travel.
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Investigators also say Gooding told the undercover detective he worked at a daycare.
As the digital investigation continued, authorities say Gooding was found to possess more than 25 images of bestiality, to have possessed, purchased and distributed child pornography, to have a fake identification card and to have attempted to tamper with evidence.
He was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility; bond was set at $430,000. Gooding was released on bond June 30, and investigators said more charges are expected.
Authorities charged Gooding with multiple counts including using a computer to lure or solicit a child, using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, distributing obscene material to a minor, traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted sexual battery, possession of images of sexual activity with animals, possession of a fictitious ID and tampering with evidence.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.