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Authorities: Gainesville man accused of raping 15-year-old girl
Dustin McConnell charged with rape, child molestation and enticement of minor
DustinRogerMcConnell
Dustin Roger McConnell

A Gainesville man is accused of picking up a 15-year-old girl in his vehicle and sexually assaulting her six months ago, according to authorities.

Dustin Roger McConnell, 21, was indicted May 17 on charges of rape, child molestation and enticement of minor, among other charges.

McConnell’s attorney Drew Bishop declined to comment.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office became involved in the case following a March undercover investigation in Barrow County related to internet crimes against children, spokeswoman Deputy Nicole Bailes wrote in an email.

The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office had learned McConnell “had successfully met with a 15-year-old girl from Hall County by way of meeting her on a social media site,” Bailes wrote.

“When McConnell met the juvenile at an arranged area on Tanners Mill Road, he picked her up in his vehicle and drove to an isolated area where it (is) alleged that he raped the juvenile.”

According to the indictment, the rape occurred Dec. 1.

McConnell also allegedly “engaged in an explicit conversation” with a Hall County Sheriff’s Office undercover investigator.

“The only difference was that McConnell never showed up to meet with the ‘alleged’ (14-year-old) juvenile that he believed he was speaking with on the social media site in Hall County,” Bailes wrote.

McConnell is accused of soliciting sexual acts and nude photos, which led to a charge of obscene internet contact with a child. In the indictment, McConnell was additionally charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment.

McConnell was originally booked April 4 into the Hall County Jail. He remains incarcerated with a $275,400 bond.