Palmetto Man Accused Of Molesting Girl Over 5-Year-Period

PALMETTO, FL -- A Palmetto man accused of molesting a girl over a five-year period is facing charges in both Pinellas and Manatee counties.

Luis Salitre-Hernandez, 22, of 115 110th St. W., Palmetto was charged by Pinellas County detectives Wednesday, Oct. 24, with three counts of capital sexual battery and two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor under the age of 12.

Salitre-Hernandez was already in custody at the Manatee County Jail where he is being held on a separate charge of sexual battery involving the same victim.

Pinellas detectives began their investigation on Oct. 5 after receiving information from the Clearwater Police Department. According to the arrest report, Salitre-Hernandez is accused of engaging in inappropriate sexual activity with the same girl at three locations in Pinellas County and in the city of Palmetto in Manatee County.

Detectives from the Palmetto Police Department were notified of the accusation and arrested Salitre-Hernandez on one count of sexual battery on Oct. 11.

Salitre-Hernanez admitted to all of the crimes occurring within Pinellas County and Manatee County during his interview with the Palmetto Police Department.

On Oct. 19, Pinellas County Sheriiff's detectives interviewed Salitre-Hernandez at the Manatee County Jail, and Salitre-Hernandez once again confessed and apologized for his actions, according to the sheriff's office.

He will be transferred to the Pinellas County Jail.

Image via Pinellas Sheriff

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