PALM COAST, Fla. – A Palm Coast man is in custody on a Flagler County fugitive warrant for sexually abusing a child under the age of 12, the sheriff’s office says.
The El Paso Police Department arrested Giovanni Curtis, 22, over the weekend following a six-month investigation.
According to a sheriff’s office news release, the investigation began in May after a parent reported that Curtis had inappropriately touched their child’s genitals multiple times over several years. The parent also revealed that Curtis had performed oral sex on another victim and admitted to touching other children when confronted.
With help from the United States Army Criminal Investigations Division, detectives traveled to El Paso to question Curtis. During the interview, Curtis admitted to the allegations. Investigators uncovered evidence outlining years of abuse and corroborated witness statements, deputies said.
Detectives determined that Curtis was only 13 years old when he committed the crimes in Flagler County and are “working with the other agencies investigating the additional crimes committed in other jurisdictions,” the news release states.
“This arrest shows that time does not erase the trauma caused by predators who victimize and steal the innocence away from young children, and being a child yourself does not provide you immunity from the law,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in a release. ”Our detectives will continue to pursue justice for victims no matter how long it takes.”
Curtis was charged with sexual battery on a victim under 12. He is being held at the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $150,000 bond and awaits extradition to Flagler County.
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