Davidson County residents charged with indecent liberties with a minor among other serious charges
{Content Warning: The following story contains information of a sensitive nature. Discretion is advised.}
On Tuesday, June 4 at 3:45 a.m. the Lexington Police Department (LPD) Officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call in the 800 block of West 8th Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found a car occupied by 37-year-old Forrest Gobble of Thomasville and a fourteen-year-old female. It was determined that Forrest and the juvenile were engaged in sexual activity at that time. Further investigation revealed that Gobble had met the juvenile victim on a social media platform.
Gobble was immediately arrested on the scene and charged with statutory rape of a child, indecent liberties with a minor and solicitation of a child by an electronic device. Gobble was held in the Davidson County Jail with no bond and scheduled to have a first appearance today in Lexington District Court.
This is an ongoing investigation that LPD detectives and victim advocates are continuing 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.
