Man Accused of Luring, Abusing Teen (Photo)

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives believe a man investigated on child luring and abuse charges in Texas and in Jackson County may have more victims.  Robert Bernard Ernst, 38, formerly of Medford, has been in federal custody in Texas since the spring of 2018 after an arrest for enticement of a minor for indecent purposes.  

Meanwhile in 2018, JCSO detectives received a report that Ernst contacted a 14-year-old Jackson County girl on social media in 2017, and then met her in person to sexually abuse her.  On March 7, 2019, a Jackson County grand jury indicted Ernst on charges of third degree rape, third degree sodomy, second degree sexual abuse, and first and second degree online sexual corruption of a child (two counts of each).

Detectives say Ernst used the handle “funinthesun80” on Snapchat to contact the girl.  They are concerned Ernst may have additional victims who have yet to come forward.  Anyone with relevant information is asked to call Detective Steve Bohn at (541) 774-6168.

Case #18-5067

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