A Gainesville man was taken into custody Friday after he was accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl during a sex trafficking incident, authorities said.

Joe Frank Wilkins, 30, was charged with child molestation, human trafficking, felony reckless conduct and aggravated sexual battery, Gainesville police said in a Facebook post. Wilkins is accused of molesting the child early Thursday morning.

It appears Wilkins purposely sought out the child for sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, Gainesville police spokesman Sgt. Kevin Holbrook said. He added that Wilkins will face additional charges.

No further information on the charges were provided.

Gainesville Police have charged Joe Frank Wilkins, 30, of Gainesville, GA, with Trafficking of a Person for Labor or...

Posted by Gainesville Police Department on Friday, September 4, 2020

Wilkins is being held at the Hall County Jail without bond, jail records show. The investigation is ongoing.

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