Man arrested for having sex with teen he met online

Mug shot of Mark Reeves

Police in St. Petersburg have arrested a man they say met a 14-year-old girl on the internet and then had an inappropriate sexual relationship with her.

Officers arrested 31-year-old Mark Reeves after the parent of the 14-year-old victim called deputies to their residence. The parent informed deputies that she caught the suspect, 31-year-old Mark Reeves, standing outside her daughter's bedroom window the night before.

Detectives determined that the victim first met Reeves on Facebook in February 2016. The victim told detectives that Reeves maintained a relationship with her and had inappropriate sexual activity with her on multiple occasions, between September 2016 and December 2016.

Authorities say Reeves knew the victim was only 14-years-old.

Reeves was arrested at 1:07 a.m., on Sunday, December 18, 2016, and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

He was charged with one count of Sexual Battery and one count of Felony-Violation of Probation.

The investigation remains underway.

 

 

The victim is currently a 14-year-old female. Per Florida Statute 119.071(2)(h)1 no further details will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a St. Petersburg man after he met a 14-year-old girl on the internet, and knowingly had inappropriate sexual activity with the juvenile victim.

When:
The incidents occurred in between September 2016 and December 2016.

Where:
The crime occurred at a private residence in Pinellas County.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a St. Petersburg man after he met a 14-year-old girl on the internet, and knowingly had inappropriate sexual activity with the juvenile victim.

According to detectives, their investigation began on Saturday, December 17, 2016, after the parent of the 14-year-old victim, called deputies to their residence. The parent informed deputies that she caught the suspect, 31-year-old Mark Reeves, standing outside her daughter's bedroom window the night before.

Detectives conducted interviews, and determined that the victim first met Reeves on Facebook in February 2016. The victim informed detectives that Reeves maintained a relationship with her and had inappropriate sexual activity with her on multiple occasions, between September 2016 and December 2016.

Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to obtain evidence collaborating the victim's statements. They also determined that Reeves had knowledge the victim was only 14-years-old.

Detectives interviewed Reeves at the Sheriff's Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road.

Reeves was arrested at about 1:07 a.m., on Sunday, December 18, 2016, and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Reeves was charged with one count of Sexual Battery and one count of Felony-Violation of Probation.

The investigation continues.

Booking photo attached