Michigan Man Arrested Again, Years After Genesee County Child Predator Sting

A Clarkston man arrested during a 2019 Genesee County child predator sting has been arrested again, this time facing federal charges of distributing, receiving, and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Who Is Robert Rhodes Bailey?

Robert Rhodes Bailey, who allegedly goes by the nickname "Handsome Rob," was one of 12 people arrested in 2019 during the Genesee County Sheriff's Office Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (G.H.O.S.T.) "Dirty Dozen II" investigation targeting suspected child predators.

The 2019 undercover operation involved investigators posing as minors online in an effort to identify adults attempting to engage in inappropriate conversations with children. Bailey was among those arrested after investigators said he communicated online with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

Nearly seven years later, federal investigators say Bailey is facing a new set of allegations.

What Investigators Allegedly Found in the New Case

According to the federal complaint, investigators began looking into Bailey after an undercover Homeland Security Investigations agent identified an online account allegedly involved in conversations with someone posing as a child.

Investigators say the online activity was traced to an internet connection at a Davisburg address associated with Bailey. According to the complaint, authorities later linked the activity to Bailey through additional investigative steps.

The complaint says an undercover agent using the messaging app Kik posed as the father of an 8-year-old girl. Investigators allege Bailey initiated contact and that the conversations eventually became sexual in nature.

Federal authorities also allege Bailey sent and received child sexual abuse material during the investigation. A search warrant was later executed, and investigators say additional evidence was recovered.

Bailey Faces Federal Charges

Bailey is charged with distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography, according to Detroit's WDIV-TV. The charges are allegations, and Bailey is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.