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Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

Don Mark Holbrooks

SENECA — A 39-year-old Westminster man was arrested Wednesday after Oconee County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a four-month period of alleged inappropriate text messaging and contact between the suspect and a minor female.

Don Mark Holbrooks is alleged to have engaged in text messaging correspondence with a girl under the age of 16 whom he knew from an Oconee County church he attends.

From January to April of this year, deputies say Holbrooks and the victim had an inappropriate relationship that began with text messages.

The victim’s father reported the relationship April 8, and the victim told investigators that she and Holbrooks had kissed on a number of occasions, and sent nude pictures to one another. While they had not engaged in intercourse, she told officers he had touched her several times in the course of the relationship, as well as discussed sexual topics.

Holbrooks was booked at Oconee County Detention Center on Wednesday on a charge of committing or attempting a lewd act on a child under the age of 16. He was released Thursday on $25,000 surety bond.