Ormond Beach Man Arrested In Plot To Rape 3-Year-Old

Ormond Beach, FL - A man connected to a plot to groom and rape a 3-year-old child is now in custody at Volusia County Jail.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office says 37-year-old Lafe Best of Ormond Beach was arrested yesterday evening (February 5th) for a series of texts containing a plot to rape a 3-year-old girl.

Reports show that Best's arrest stems from another case in Ormond Beach involving his friend and, according to VCSO, sexual partner, 39-year-old Benjamin Worster, who was arrested on molestation and 21 counts of child pornography possession charges.

This investigation was originally launched following the discovery of a series of text messages on Worster's phone.

The 3-year-old victim and her mother had moved into Worster's apartment in December, and not long after the girl would tell her mother that Worster had touched her.

Following an apparent overdose, Worster was taken to the hospital, which left his phone unattended. The mother would check his phone and find a text message thread between himself and Best, describing a plot to groom and rape the 3-year-old girl, whether she was conscious or not.

Some of the messages are as follows:

• Worster: Single mom - has a 3 year old daughter - Shes not a very good mom and she ignored her daughter constantly - 2nd day of meeting her daughter she ran up to give me a hug and buried her head right in m crotch - So im gonna get to work on that.
• W: And at 3 im working with memories that wont stick
• W: Im looking up things under an anonymous browser on things that will safely make kids pass out for a couple of hours
• Best: Can't wait lol
• W: Me either - Gotta take this opportunity while I can at my age who knows when something like this will land in my lap again
• B: I know right. I've got all kinds of Visions dancing in my head right now lol
• B: You never know if her junkie mom can't come up with rent one month she might just giver her to you lol wishful thinking
• B: I'd prefer awake if we can manage it without repercussions

On Friday (February 2nd), the State Attorney's Office notified a VCSO detective of Best's involvement in the Worster case, and then VCSO took over that aspect of the investigation.

Detectives would eventually execute a search warrant at Best's residence yesterday and discovered what appeared to be child pornography on his cell phone, in addition to his texts to Worster.

Additional charges are expected as the evidence is examined and the investigation continues.

Best was also found to be living in a home with two people who have a child who's about 20 months old. It's not believed the child was a victim of any abuse, however, authorities will continue to follow up as the investigation unfolds.

Best was charged with sexual battery on a child and is currently in custody at Volusia County Jail on no bond. Worster also remains in custody at Volusia County Jail on no bond.