Man Sexually Abused 7-Year-Old Visiting Sailboat: Police

Sarasota FL

22 July, 2021

3:55 PM

Description

SARASOTA, FL — A 47-year-old man is facing sexual battery charges after abusing a 7-year-old who stayed with him on a sailboat in June, Sarasota police said in a news release. John M. Smith of Sarasota has been charged with sexual battery on a victim under 12 by an offender over 18, police said. He's being held in Sarasota County Jail. Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking them to call Detective Maria Llovio at 941-263-6836. After the 7-year-old stayed on a sailboat with Smith in June, she told her father that Smith touched her inappropriately, police said. The father and Smith know each other, police added. In July, detectives worked with the Child Protection Center during their investigation. On Thursday, Smith's ex-wife told Sarasota police detectives that when she was married to him, her daughter said he touched her inappropriately in 2008, police said. Detectives learned it began when the daughter was 3 years old. Smith was arrested Thursday in a parking lot on Bayfront Drive and brought to Sarasota County Jail.