Man involved in alleged plot to rape Ormond toddler charged

Lafe Best was chargeed with 11 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child, reported the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

By Jarleene Almenas
| 9:00 a.m. February 26, 2019

Lafe Best and Benjamin Worster remain in jail with no bond.

Ormond Beach Observer
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Following forensic examinations of evidence, one of the men involved in a plot to rape a three-year-old Ormond Beach girl was charged with 11 counts of possession of sexual performance by a child, reported the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Lafe Best, 37, was arrested in early February by deputies on charges of conspiracy to commit sexual battery on a child. His arrest stemmed from a related case in Ormond Beach involving 39-year-old Bejamin Worster, who was arrested by Ormond Beach Police in January when his text messages detailing his plans to Best about "grooming" a three-year-old for rape were found by the victim's mother.

Worster faces multiple charges of lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious conduct and 21 counts of possession of child pornography, VCSO reports. Worster is reported to be Best's friend and sexual partner, and had told police the text messages were "just foreplay" meant to work Best up before hooking up with him.

Both men remain in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail with no bond.