CLEARWATER, Fla. — Authorities arrested a 26-year-old man Thursday on suspicion of plotting to kidnap a young girl and a possession of child pornography charge, according to police.
Officials booked Jacob Holman, of Clearwater, into Pinellas County Jail following a domestic dispute earlier in the day at his home, police said. Officers said they learned that Holman “had begun collecting items that were on a list, including duct tape, gloves, (a) shovel, (a) flashlight, (a) first aid kit and a condom.”
“Also on the list was written out ‘snatch up lil girl’ and ‘throw in trunk,’” police said.
Jacob Holman, 26, was planning to kidnap a young girl and was gathering items to carry out his plot -- duct tape, shovel, gloves. He also had a list that included "snatch up lil girl" and "throw in trunk." He's in the Pinellas County Jail this morning on multiple charges. pic.twitter.com/FAhCrvlL6f
— Clearwater Police Department (@myclearwaterPD) October 22, 2021
Maj. Natalia Illich-Hailey told WTVT that investigators believe Holman was preparing to carry out his plan, as he had prepared to leave town.
“I truly believe that we saved a life yesterday,” she said.
Police said they found a video of a girl who appeared to be about 5 years old on Holman’s phone. The video had been taken at a local store, authorities said. It was not immediately clear whether Holman planned to target the girl.
Investigators also found pornographic images of children on the 26-year-old’s computer, police said.
“So often in this profession we see the tragic outcome after a heinous crime is committed,” Chief Dan Slaughter said Friday in a statement.
“This is one of those rare occasions where we were fortunate to be able to intervene before the crime happened. I can’t be more grateful for the citizen reporting a concern and for the great work by our detectives in the Crimes Against Children and Families Unit.”
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