Sorrento Man Accused of Having Sex with a Minor

A 23-year-old Sorrento man was arrested this week for allegedly having sex with a minor, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office report.

The man apparently met the minor, who is under the age of 16, on a social networking site.

According to a spokesman for the sheriff’s office, the man claimed to be 17-years-old on the site in order to bypass restrictions placed on adults conversing with children.

The man allegedly knew the girl was underage. He is accused of sending her sexually explicit photos online.

The man was booked into the Lake County Jail with bail set at $23,000. He faces various charges, including three counts of lewd and lascivious behavior on a child ages 12 to 16, transmitting information harmful to children and obscene communication travel to meet after use of computer to lure child.

While speaking with detectives, the man apparently admitted to an indecent exposure incident that was reported last year. He now faces new charges stemming from that incident as well.

Detectives believe the man may have targeted other children online; however no further allegations have arisen at this time.

Sex with a minor, known most commonly as statutory rape, is a crime that involves an adult engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor. While the sexual activity may have been consensual, and even initiated by the minor, the state of Florida does not recognize this as a valid defense. If convicted of statutory rape, in addition to time behind bars, you will be faced with the burden of being a registered sex offender. Basically, this label will follow you around for the rest of your life, even if you move to a different county or state.

However, just because the State has accused you of a sex crime, this does not mean you have been found guilty. A Florida Sex Crimes Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can challenge the prosecution’s evidence and hold all experts and investigators accountable. We will comb through every shred of evidence to help clear your name and secure your freedom.

Being accused of having sex with a minor is quite a serious allegation. Our sex crimes defense lawyers understand just how scary and stressful any sex crime charge can be, especially ones that could land you in prison for a lengthy period of time. At Whittel & Melton, we know that the prosecution and judges can be ruthless and unforgiving to those accused of sex crimes, especially when they involve minors. As former prosecutors, we have invaluable insight into how the other side operates that we can put to work for you and your defense strategy.

Contact a Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton to find out more about how we can protect your rights and your future. You can reach us locally in Lake County at 352-369-5334 or statewide and toll-free at 866-608-5529.