People v. Gibson CA1/2

BACKGROUND

I. Gibson contacted “Ally” through a friendship/dating website and suggested they meet, not knowing Ally was a decoy arranged by a nonprofit

1 organization called Worldwide Predator Hunters. The two exchanged phone numbers and engaged in an ongoing conversation by text message. Although Ally told Gibson she was 14 years old, Gibson’s texts were sexually explicit, including describing the sexual acts he would engage in with her if they met. He told her he was nervous about the fact that he could go to prison if he was caught with her “ ‘but honestly, that just makes me want it more.’ ” After making several arrangements to meet that Gibson failed to show up for, Gibson texted Ally that he was in Crescent City and she should sneak out so he could pick her up; she told him she could meet him the following day. The next morning, June 25, 2021, Gibson texted that he was at the beach, told Ally the street where he had parked his motor home and sent a picture of a small brown dog. The founder of Worldwide Predator Hunters had informed the Del Norte County Sheriff’s office about Gibson’s contacts with Ally. Deputy Sheriff Ashbury went to the area where Gibson said he had…