Florida Man Arrested After Parent Discovers His ‘Relationship’ With Minor Child

A 20-year-old Florida man is facing charges after a parent reported he had been “dating” their minor teenager for around three months, authorities said.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said the monthlong investigation began when a parent discovered their child was in a sexual relationship with an adult man and reported it. On Sept. 16, deputies responded along with a mental health specialist from the FCSO Behavioral Response Unit to a Palm Coast residence, where, at the parent’s request, they retrieved the victim’s cellphone and iPad to collect evidence.

After reviewing the victim’s devices, detectives determined 20-year-old Brandon Raymond had exchanged “sexually explicit messages, which referred to past sexual activity between them,” through text messages, Snapchat, and Instagram.

On Oct. 1, the victim was interviewed by a Florida Department of Health Child Protection Team, and they confirmed the victim and Raymond had been in a relationship for around three months, and that Raymond knew the victim was a minor when they had sex on multiple occasions, including in his vehicle.

After obtaining a warrant, deputies located Raymond in the parking lot of a Flagler Beach grocery store on Oct. 10 and seized his vehicle and phone and obtained a DNA sample. A forensic analysis of the vehicle revealed “biological fluids on the backseat” and clothing in his trunk. The evidence was turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

On Nov. 7, detectives obtained a warrant for Raymond’s arrest for two counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a minor. Later that evening, Raymond was arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He was later released on a $50,00 bond.

“This offender was fully aware this child he was having sex was just that — a child,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Fortunately, the childs parent understood how serious the situation was and contacted law enforcement. I commend the parent for being the Sheriff in their home, as well as the dedicated team members from our patrol, Major Case, Digital Forensics, CSI, Behavioral Response, and PACE units who worked hard to make this case and arrest him. Now, he can face justice for taking advantage of a young child.”

According to the sheriff’s office, it was Raymond’s third arrest in two weeks. He was arrested on Nov. 1 on a warrant out of Volusia County for alleged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of shooting or throwing a deadly missile into a vehicle. He was later released in $55,000 bond.

On Tuesday, Raymond was arrested on another Volusia County warrant for allegedly tampering with a witness. He was initially being held on a a $50,000 bond, which was later revoked. He was turned over to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.