Danny Federico
A 60-year-old Live Oak man was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after allegedly admitting to exchanging sexually explicit messages and photographs with a minor over a period of several months.
According to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office probable cause affidavit, Robert Earl Young was charged with transmission of material harmful to a minor by electronic device or equipment.
The affidavit states Investigator Flint L. Miller interviewed Young after advising him of his Miranda rights. Young reportedly told Miller that he knew why investigators wanted to speak with him and agreed to participate in an audio-recorded interview.
During the interview, Young told investigators he had known the alleged victim for approximately 10 years and acknowledged that the two had communicated through text messages, telephone or FaceTime calls and Facebook. Inv. Miller questioned Young about the communications because of what the affidavit described as a “significant age difference” between the two.
According to the affidavit, Young initially described their messages as consisting of “good mornings” and checking in on one another. However, when questioned further, Young allegedly admitted that sexually explicit photographs had been exchanged.
According to investigators, Young admitted sending the alleged victim a sexually explicit photograph of himself after being asked to do so and said he had received explicit photographs from the alleged victim on two occasions. Young reportedly told investigators he deleted the photographs after receiving them.
Inv. Miller also questioned Young about sexually explicit text messages. The affidavit states Young acknowledged sending multiple messages to the victim and also admitted sending messages referring to wanting to “impress” the victim and telling the victim, “I love you.”
Young allegedly told investigators he knew sending the messages and images was wrong. He reportedly said he had been under the influence of alcohol during the times he communicated with the alleged victim.
According to the affidavit, Young said the communications and relationship lasted approximately six months.
Based on the investigation and Young’s alleged admissions regarding the communications and transmission of sexually explicit material, investigators placed him under arrest on a felony charge of transmitting harmful material to a minor by electronic device or equipment.
Young was released on Friday, Aug. 28, on a $100,000 bond.
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