Charges against a Gainesville man — already in custody after being arrested for enticing a minor — were upgraded Thursday to child molestation after police discovered that he met with an 11-year-old girl.
Elmer B. Bonilla, 27, was first charged and placed into custody April 23, after the girl’s parent or guardian discovered that he and the 11-year-old had been communicating through social media, said a spokesman for the Gainesville Police Department.
More serious charges were levied three days later, when police determined that the two met at a vacant house, according to Sgt. Kevin Holbrook.
Holbrook said a “local partner” conducted a forensic interview with the girl before the charges were upgraded.
“We believe this is the first incidence when they had met in person,” he said.
The girl rode her bicycle to a vacant house, where she met Bonilla, Holbrook said.
Bonilla is listed as an inmate at the Hall County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
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