Bait-and-tackle shop owner near Port Orange accused of molesting 5-year-old

Lawrence Patterson, 60, held on no bond

Lawrence Patterson, 60 (Volusia County Jail)

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – An Edgewater man was arrested after being accused of sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

In a release, deputies said that the man — Lawrence Patterson, 60 — is the owner of a bait-and-tackle shop near Port Orange.

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Deputies explained that Patterson wasn’t a stranger to the girl, though and there have yet to be any indications about additional victims.

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“Due to the nature of the allegations and the defendant’s potential for interaction with children and families, the Sheriff’s Office is notifying the public of his arrest,” the release reads.

Patterson faces a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child. He is held on no bond.

Anyone with information about this case or any others involving child sexual abuse is urged to call (386) 323-3574.

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