ORMOND BEACH, Fla. (WTXL) - Two Florida men have been arrested after being accused of plotting to groom and rape a 3-year-old girl.
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 37-year-old Lafe Best. According to investigators, Best was arrested in connection to another case involving his friend 39-year-old Benjamin Worster, who was accused of child molestation and possession of child porn.
According to deputies, they found text messages between the men describing their plan.
Investigators said the victim and her mother moved into Worster's apartment in December, and that's when the victim told her mom that Worster touched her.
Worster was taken to the hospital after an apparent overdose, and the victim’s mother found his phone lying on his bed. Deputies said that’s when the mother found the texts he had sent to Best, where the two described how they wanted to rape the victim, not caring if she was conscious or not.
Detectives said they found what appeared to be child pornography at Best’s home, along with his texts to Worster.
Investigators said two people with a 20-month-old child were living with Worster at the time of his arrest. However, they do not believe the child was a victim of any abuse at this time.
Best remains in custody without bond.
