$5K reward offered for man accused of sexual battery on a child, Volusia deputies say

Deputies, police, US marshals search for Audran Murray Butler

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of a man accused of sexually abusing a child, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Holly Hill Police Chief Stephen Aldrich announced the reward during a news conference Wednesday afternoon, during which they said that they have been looking for 63-year-old Audran Murray Butler since July 2017, but despite their best efforts, they have been unable to locate him.

According to police, the victim told her mother in 2017 that Butler, who is a relative, had sexually abused her multiple times beginning when she was 9 years old and continuing until she was 13.

"It's important ... that we get this scumbag off the streets because if he will do the sadistic, evil, debauchery things that he did to his own flesh and blood, he'll do it to another child," Chitwood said.

The victim told her mother and authorities that she was ashamed of the abuse, according to the affidavit.

"In the beginning, I thought that I would end up taking this secret to my grave but I can't live with myself knowing anymore and I feel as though I need help," the victim texted her mother, according to the report. "Having to keep a secret like this and put on such a front makes me feel like I have no voice and I want to be heard."

Authorities said that in additional to the sexual abuse, Butler also exposed the child to pornography and gave her marijuana.

Aldrich said that police immediately began investigating when they became aware of the allegations and in either lute June or early July 2017, they interviewed him and he denied the abuse claims.

"After the interview, basically he has vanished," Aldrich said.

Chitwood said the fugitive unit has exhausted all investigative leads, which is why the reward money is now being offered.

"For $5,000, turn this scumbag over to us and let him rot in a jail cell where he belongs," Chitwood said.

Authorities believe that Butler is somewhere in the community and it's possible that someone could be harboring him either because they don't know what he's accused of doing or because they don't want to see him go to prison.

Anyone with information concerning Butler's whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (*477).


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