Man Tries to Strangle Himself with Seatbelt in Grovetown Police Vehicle After Arrest

A man who thought he was meeting a child in Grovetown for sex Friday afternoon met police instead and wound up getting arrested.

Grovetown Public Safety officials say 47-year-old Rodger O'Neal Bonnette of Portal, Georgia traveled here Friday afternoon with the intent of meeting a minor for sex.  A news release says Bonnette made the arrangements Wednesday to meet the juvenile Friday and traveled to Grovetown at the location where they agreed to meet.  He was met by law enforcement officials instead who took him into custody. They said Bonnette had items discussed during his texting with the investigator, whom he thought was the juvenile, in his possession.

A news release says Bonnette told the arresting officers he had undergone multiple shoulder surgeries and could not place his hands behind his back.

Bonnette's handcuffs were placed in front of him instead and he was secured with a seatbelt in the back of the patrol car.

"While enroute to the Columbia County Detention Center, Bonnette attempted to strangle himself with the seatbelt in the rear of the patrol car.  Upon bringing the vehicle to a stop, the transporting officer attempted to remove the seatbelt from Bonnette's neck, receiving a bite wound to his hand in the process," according to a news release.

The police officer received medical treatment at the scene.  Bonnette was taken to an area hospital for treatment and observation.

Bonnette will be taken to the Columbia County Detention Center after he's released from the hospital and will be charged with one count of Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes.

The Grovetown Police Department partnered with the GBI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in making the arrest.