Columbia County detectives arrested 20-year-old Connor Andrew Gooding after investigators say he traveled from St. Johns County to Lake City to meet a child for sex. Authorities say electronic devices seized during the probe contained more than two dozen illicit images and that his bond was set at $430,000. Records show he was released on bond the following day. Detectives also told reporters the suspect previously worked at a daycare in St. Johns County.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, detectives arrested Gooding on June 29 after an investigation that developed through online leads. The post lists his date of birth as May 25, 2006, and outlines a series of felony counts tied to alleged possession, distribution and solicitation of child sexual material.
What deputies allege
In its public post, the sheriff's office says Gooding "was found in possession of over 25 images of bestiality" and that he "confessed to the criminal acts he committed." Detectives reported recovering condoms and a fictitious identification during their contact with him. Investigators also say Gooding traveled from St. Johns County to Columbia County to meet a minor and that he worked at a local daycare, according to the sheriff's account.
Charges and the statutes cited
Deputies listed charges under several Florida statutes, including F.S. 847.0135, dealing with computer pornography and traveling to meet a minor, and F.S. 827.071, which covers sexual performance by a child, along with provisions of Chapter 828 that address sexual activity with animals. For the statutes cited by investigators, see Fla. Stat. 847.0135, Fla. Stat. 827.071 and Chapter 828 of the Florida Statutes for the provisions that apply.
Investigation and local context
Columbia County detectives frequently work alongside regional Internet Crimes Against Children teams on these kinds of cases, and the sheriff's office has issued similar media releases in prior child sexual abuse material investigations. Local outlets have previously reported on Columbia County ICAC operations and device-forensic arrests in the Lake City area, underscoring that these cases typically lean on multi-agency digital forensics and tips from national watchdog groups.
What happens next
Prosecutors in the Third Judicial Circuit, which handles Columbia County criminal matters, will now review the investigation and decide on specific filings and court dates. The office that prosecutes Columbia County felony cases is the State Attorney’s Third Judicial Circuit office in the Lake City area, and it routinely handles serious sexual-exploitation prosecutions in the circuit.
Legal implications
The statutes cited carry felony penalties and, if convictions follow, can trigger mandatory sex offender registration and other post-conviction restrictions under Florida law. For background on how travel-to-meet-minor and child sexual abuse material offenses are defined and prosecuted in Florida, readers can refer to the state statutes and Florida Department of Law Enforcement guidance on registration and qualifying offenses.
Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's Facebook post includes the agency's contact details along with the full list of charges in the case.
