PALM COAST, Fla. – A 19-year-old man accused of meeting an 11-year-old girl on Facebook and sexually battering her was arrested.
Karl Westgate of Palm Coast was charged with lewd or lascivious molestation, sexual battery, computer pornography transmission and child exploitation and promoting sexual performance by a child.
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Deputies said Westgate talked online with the girl about alcohol, cannabis and sexual acts for several hours a day. He then coerced the victim to send nude photos of herself and sent nude photos of himself, according to the report.
The relationship escalated when Westgate went to the girl's home and sexually battered her, deputies said.
"We have been investigating this incident for approximately three weeks," said Sheriff James L. Manfre in a release. "Our major case detectives worked diligently to protect this young victim."
Westgate was booked into Flagler County jail without bond.