An Abbotsford offender convicted of sexually luring youth over the Internet violated probation by creating a fake online Facebook persona, and managed to collect close to 300 "friends."

Jeffery Goddard, 22, was arrested for violating conditions barring him access to the Internet and any contact with minors.

Adopting the name Ryan Martin Stewart, Goddard created an "elaborate" false identity, which included the creation of a family, a landscaping company and an employment history as part of a ruse to contact youth on the Internet.

"He used the fictitious persona and landscaping company as a means to look for face-to-face meetings with people under 18 [years old]," said APD Const. Ian MacDonald.