FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — A Franklin County man is facing a felony assault charge after authorities say he used his 11-year-old daughter’s social media account to lure a man accused of raping the child to his home, where the suspect was shot.
According to court records, Diego Montoya Gonzalez, 20, has been indicted on two counts of rape, five counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, and one count of obstructing official business. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Investigators say the case began on July 15, when the girl’s mother contacted law enforcement after discovering a video on her daughter’s phone that appeared to show sexual conduct involving the child.
According to a criminal complaint, the girl’s father, Malik Chandler, 31, allegedly accessed his daughter’s TikTok account and posed as her to arrange a meeting with Montoya Gonzalez at the family’s home the following day.
Chandler later told investigators he intended to confront and physically detain Montoya Gonzalez until police arrived. However, according to the complaint, Chandler said he believed Montoya Gonzalez reached for a weapon during the confrontation, prompting Chandler to open fire.
Authorities said Montoya Gonzalez was struck twice by gunfire. He survived the shooting.
Montoya Gonzalez was arrested and later indicted on the child sex offense charges. A judge set his bond at $70,000. If released, court records indicate he must have no contact with the victim or her family and is prohibited from using the internet except for work-related purposes.
Chandler was also arrested and charged with felonious assault in connection with the shooting. His bond was set at $100,000, which he has since posted.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with neighbors expressing sympathy for the father’s actions while acknowledging the legal consequences.
“I can see why he went after him,” one neighbor told local television station WSYX. “I’m not saying it’s right, but that at least makes some sense. It wasn’t a senseless thing.”
Authorities continue to investigate the case. The allegations against both men remain accusations, and each is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
