LEXINGTON, N.C. — A Thomasville man was arrested Tuesday after being accused of engaging in sex crimes with a teenager, according to Lexington police.
Police said they received a report about a suspicious vehicle on the 800 block of W. 8th Ave., and when they arrived, they found 37-year-old Forrest Gobble and a 14-year-old girl inside the car around 3:45 a.m.
After an investigation, police determined they were in the car engaging in sexual activity, and Gobble met the girl online.
Police said Gobble was charged with:
- Statutory rape of a child
- Indecent liberties with a minor
- Solicitation of a child by an electronic device
Gobble was held in the Davidson County Jail without bond and scheduled for a first appearance in Lexington District Court on Tuesday, June 4.
This is an ongoing investigation that LPD detectives and victim advocates continue to work on. During the initial investigation, it was determined that Gobble was out on post-release from a prior child sex offense conviction. Detectives are in communication with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction regarding this as well to ensure proper information is shared for further accountability measures.
The Lexington Police Department encourages parents and guardians to monitor their children’s digital devices and social media accounts to help protect them from predators such as Forrest Gobble.
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