78-Year-Old Arrested in Washington County Undercover Human Trafficking Sting
Published: September 14th, 2026.
NEWPORT MN — A 78-year-old man faces felony solicitation charges in Washington County following a law enforcement covert operation targeting the demand side of commercial sex involving minors.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, George Lucian Goblish, born Oct. 21, 1947, was taken into custody on Sept. 10, 2026. Goblish faces a felony charge of Solicitation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Conduct under Minnesota state law.
Investigators state the arrest stemmed from a targeted operation designed to combat the demand for commercial sex acts with underage children. As part of the operation, an undercover detective posted an advertisement on a known commercial sex website, utilizing decoy photographs depicting an adult female who appeared underage. The undercover officer posed as a 17-year-old female during communications.
Court documents state an individual using a telephone number ending in 6808 contacted the listed advertisement via text message. Detectives subsequently linked the phone number to Goblish.
During the text exchange, the undercover officer explicitly informed the suspect that they were 17 years of age. The complaint alleges Goblish agreed to pay $150 for a 30-minute encounter involving oral and sexual intercourse, then requested a meeting location.
Investigators instructed Goblish to meet at an apartment complex located in Newport, Minnesota. When Goblish arrived at the predetermined location, law enforcement officers took him into custody.
Upon his arrest, officers recovered a cellular telephone, two condoms, and $360 in cash, which included $150 separated from the remaining currency.
In an interview following the administration of a Miranda warning, Goblish reportedly admitted to investigators that he was aware the individual was 17 years old and acknowledged negotiating cash payment for sexual contact.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.