Bend man accused of obscene phone-app exchanges with Fla. girl

A 42-year-old Bend man has been arrested on charges of using a cellphone app to engage in sexually explicit conversations and share explicit photos with a Florida girl, also offering to buy her a bus ticket to Oregon, officers said Thursday.

Joel M. Hoffman was arrested shortly after noon Wednesday in a traffic stop in the area of Northeast Fourth Street and Norton Avenue, said Lt. Clint Burleigh. He was charged with luring a minor for sexual conduct and use of a child in display of sexual conduct.

Bend police detectives began an investigation last month after receiving information by Florida police that Hoffman had used a cellphone app called FriendLife to contact the Central Florida female, who police said he knew was under 18 years old.

Detectives learned Hoffman had repeated sexually explicit conversations with the juvenile and exchanged photos of sex acts and their genitalia, Burleigh said.

Information from the investigation indicated Hoffman told the girl he’d buy a bus ticket for her to come to Oregon.

Detectives executed search warrants at Hoffman’s home, workplace and car, Burleigh said, adding that the investigation continues and more charges are possible.

Hoffman was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and lodged. A jail officer said he was released Thursday morning after posting 10 percent of his $35,000 bail, pending a future court date.

Anyone with information about Hoffman and similar behavior was asked to contact Detective Wes Murphy at 541-693-6911.

“The Bend Police Department would like to remind parents how important it is to verify websites your children are visiting,” Burleigh said. “Many people in similar circumstances are using social media websites to meet and befriend children in an attempt to abuse them.”

Burleigh also advised there are several resources available to help identify if your child has survived an abusive situation. The KIDS Center offers Darkness to Light training to help identify when a child might have been put through a similar situation.