Sex Crimes

Published on: November 7, 2016

Pizza Hut Employee In Seminole County Accused Of Having Sex With Teen

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Seminole County man is accused of having sex with a teen he met online, according to the Winter Springs Police Department.

The 23-year-old Casselberry man was arrested last week after being interviewed by police.

According to police, the man, who works at a Pizza Hut, contacted a 13-year-old boy through social media. He is accused of driving the teen to a hidden driveway near Tradewinds Road and Moss Road in Winter Springs where he allegedly engaged in multiple sex acts with the teen.

The 13-year-old boy told police he didn’t know the man’s name, only that he worked at a Pizza Hut.

Investigators apparently used the information provided by the teen to locate the Pizza Hut where the man worked and showed his picture to the store manager who identified him, according to the police report.

The man now faces multiple charges including sexual battery of a victim aged 12 to 18, using a computer/electronic device to solicit a minor and production of child pornography.

A conviction for any sex crime carries very harsh consequences that can last a lifetime. A conviction can negatively impact your career path and even prevent you from living in a desired area. That is why you must take these charges seriously and obtain a Seminole County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible.

Our sex crimes attorneys stand ready to fight for your rights if you have been accused of a sex crime. We can provide you with an aggressive defense and ensure that all of your rights are protected.

Published on: November 2, 2016

Orlando Substitute Teacher Accused Of Sleeping With Student

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 28-year-old female substitute teacher at an Orlando-area private school is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student.

The woman faces charges of sexual activity with a 16 or 17 year old child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to an arrest affidavit, the woman was a substitute teacher at an Orlando school. The affidavit said that a representative from the school called a Florida Department of Children and Families hotline late last week to report the woman after teachers became suspicious of her relationship with the boy.

A DCF investigator looked into the claims and allegedly determined that the woman had sex with the teen at her home on the evening of Oct. 14 after exchanging Snapchat messages with him and giving him alcohol.

The woman was booked into the Orange County Jail on Friday night.

Accusations of sexual misconduct between a teacher and a student are very serious in Florida and in every other state across the country. Even if a person is not found guilty of the alleged crime, their reputation could be forever damaged. Because of this, anyone facing sex crimes charges needs to obtain a criminal defense attorney who can prepare the strongest possible defense against the charges.

Published on: November 1, 2016

Floral City Man, 56, Charged With Sexual Battery on 8-Year-Old Boy

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 56-year-old Floral City man was arrested Friday and charged with one count of sexual battery on an 8-year-old boy.

Police claim the alleged victim came forward to several members of his household and said the man had been sexually abusing him. The child accused the man of touching his genitals and sodomizing him, according to reports.

Deputies transported the man to the county Emergency Operations Center and interviewed him in reference to the accusations. He was then arrested and transported to the county detention facility.

The man faces one count of sexual battery with familial or custodial authority. He was denied bond.

Any accusations of a sex crime are very serious and must be handled accordingly. While anyone can make these heinous allegations against another person, police can arrest you based solely on a sex crime accusation even if there is no physical evidence to support these claims. Regardless of your innocence, you could be in for the fight of your life, as police and prosecutors tend to side with the victim in these cases.

If you have been arrested for a sexual offense, or think you might be, it is imperative to keep quiet until you have retained legal counsel. You should never make a statement to police without your attorney present. Even if the allegations against you are false, it is still important to remain silent. Your side of the story will be best told by your criminal defense lawyer.

Our Citrus County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help if you are facing sex crimes charges. We can preserve any evidence before it is lost or destroyed and obtain statements from any witnesses before their memories fade. We know that your life is on the line, which is why we will do everything in our power to obtain the most positive outcome on your behalf.

Published on: October 3, 2016

Manatee County School Employee Accused Of Impregnating Student

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Manatee County Schools employee accused of impregnating a 14-year-old student made his first appearance in court on Friday.

The 31-year-old had been working at a middle school as a graduation enhancement technician since 2014. He also coaches the junior varsity basketball team at an area high school.

The school district claims the man has resigned from his position and has agreed not to look for any other jobs in the district.

Bond for the man was set at $55,000.

Being accused of a sex crime is terrifying. The state of Florida has some of the toughest penalties for those convicted of sex crimes, requiring mandatory registration as a sex offender, possibly for life. Anyone can access your name, picture and other information from the state’s website with just a click of a button. Being a registered sex offender is something that will follow you around long after you have served your prison sentence and fulfilled any other requirements.

Most sex crimes cases are quite fact-specific and must be dealt with accordingly. These cases are fueled by emotions, which can complicate the true facts of the case. Because of this, every shred of evidence must be investigated thoroughly to figure out any inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.

Published on: September 30, 2016

Disney Worker Arrested For Allegedly Attempting To Meet Girl For Sex

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Walt Disney World worker was arrested Monday afternoon on charges he tried to meet a supposed minor for sex, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The 22-year-old allegedly communicated online with what he thought was an aunt on Craigslist for three days last week about having sexual relations with her 13-year-old niece, according to reports.

Reports indicate that the “aunt” was an undercover detective working with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children operation.

In one of the communications, the Ocoee man allegedly said that he can “teach” the girl about sexual relations.

When the man arrived at an agreed location to meet the “aunt” and “girl” Monday afternoon, he was arrested. He told police that he only came to the meeting place to report the “aunt,” according to reports.

The man “has been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the charges,” according to a Disney spokesperson.

Traveling to meet a minor for sex is a very serious charge that is classified as a second-degree felony punishable by a prison term of up to 15 years and fines of up to $10,000. If convicted, you could be looking at a minimum of 21 months behind bars, not to mention mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Published on: September 12, 2016

Polk County Teacher Asking For Lighter Sentence For Sex Crime

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Polk County ex-teacher facing 22 years in prison for child sex crimes will be asking for a lighter punishment, according to reports.

The former English teacher pleaded guilty to 37 child-sex charges in March 2015 and was sentenced a few months later.

The 31-year-old was initially arrested on allegations she had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. Investigators said she also admitted to having sex with two other teens at the school.

The judge told the woman that even though the victims were willing participants, their age doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a crime.

Now, the woman is seeking a lighter sentences for several factors, including an undisclosed mental condition, the victims being willing participants and a lack of treatment options available to her in prison.

She is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday to ask for that lighter sentence.

Any criminal accusation involving sex is quite serious and should be dealt with accordingly. Prison time and steep fines are enough to worry about for any criminal charge, however, sex crimes punishments can haunt you long after you have served your sentence. You are required to register as a sex offender in a public database, where anyone can see the details of your crime.

Just because you have been convicted of a sex crime, this does not mean that your defense is completely done. Depending on the facts of your case, it may be possible to appeal your conviction or obtain a reduced sentence.

Published on: September 8, 2016

Dixie County Man Accused Of Forcing Man And Woman To Have Sex

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Dixie County man, currently on probation for a Marion County rape, has been arrested on multiple charges after authorities claim he forced a man and woman to have sex in his camper.

The 36-year-old was charged by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday on two counts of sexual battery while armed with a deadly weapon, two counts of false imprisonment, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On Thursday, the man was charged by the Florida Department of Corrections for violating the probation he was on for previous convictions, including a sexual battery from Marion County. He had been released from prison on Aug. 1.

According to reports, a 20-year-old man and 53-year-old woman were staying in the man’s small camping trailer from Sept. 1 through Sept. 4 using illegal drugs. At one point, the man is accused of becoming violent, getting a gun and forcing the others to have sex while he watched.

The man apparently refused to let the two leave, padlocking the outside door to keep them in when he left the camper. The two were able to get out and call authorities when the man left for medical treatment and failed to lock the door.

When you are charged with a sex crime in Florida, it is normal to feel like the world is against you. Sex crimes are highly stigmatized by the public and treated quite harshly by the criminal justice system. There is no doubt that these charges require the help of a criminal defense attorney who will work to protect your rights.

Published on: August 24, 2016

Man Accused of Travelling From New York to New Port Richey To Meet Teen For Sex

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A New York man is accused of traveling to New Port Richey to have sex with a 13-year-old girl.

On Tuesday night, at approximately 11 p.m., Pasco deputies were dispatched to the girl’s home in reference to an unwanted guest complaint.

The caller advised that his wife found a 21-year-old man in the bedroom closet of his 13-year-old daughter.

The man, 21, apparently told detectives he traveled from Staten Island, New York to New Port Richey by train to visit the teen.

The detective allegedly discovered the man had numerous nude photos of the victim on his cell phone.

Detectives arrested the man for lewd and lascivious battery, traveling to meet a minor and possession of child pornography.

According to the arrest report, the man told detectives he met the girl three years ago online and started “dating” her a year ago. He apparently told detectives he was unaware that the girl was 13.

The man was booked into the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center on $25,000 bond.

If you have been accused of traveling to meet a minor for sex, it is important to speak with a Pasco County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible. Do not wait as these charges are very serious. You could face up to 15 years in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

Published on: August 19, 2016

Clermont Man Arrested For Allegedly Soliciting Girl Online

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents arrested a 24-year-old man Wednesday for attempting to solicit a 10-year-old girl on the internet.

Authorities say the girl’s mother told the Orange County Sheriff’s Office that her daughter received sexually explicit material from a man.

Deputies then sent the case to FDLE agents in Orlando.

Over the course of the investigation, agents claim they discovered additional evidence that they say shows the man was both sending sexually explicit material and soliciting the 10-year-old to provide explicit material.

Investigators met with the man at his home in Clermont and arrested him. He is charged with transmitting material harmful to minors and using a computer to solicit a child.

The investigation is ongoing, according to reports.

Internet sex crimes, especially those involving minors, are viewed quite seriously by both prosecutors and judges alike. Juries tend to side with the child in these cases, which means an adult accused of soliciting a child could be facing major penalties if convicted. These charges must be dealt with right away, and a Lake County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you understand the full scope of the charges you are facing.

Published on: August 4, 2016

Former Plant City Middle School Teacher Accepts Plea Deal in Student Sex Case

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The case of a former Turkey Creek Middle School teacher accused of having a sex with a 15-year-old student will not go to trial.

The Brandon woman accepted a plea deal Monday. She received five years in Florida state prison, two years of community control (GPS monitoring), followed by 15 years’ probation.

The woman was arrested and charged with sexual battery, lewd and lascivious battery and lewd conduct in February 2015.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the woman established a relationship with the teenager, who was a student in her classroom.

Deputies claim the relationship turned physical with the woman having sex with the boy at the school during school hours and once in his bedroom.

The woman will also have to register as a sex offender.

The decision to take your chances with a jury or to negotiate a deal with prosecutors is never easy when you are faced with a criminal offense. A Hillsborough County Criminal Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence along with the potential penalties for a conviction. In most cases, we can attempt to work out a deal to avoid or minimize prison time. As former prosecutors, we know how to evaluate the judge and the DA involved in your case, which means we can prepare a powerful strategy accordingly.