Woman Sexually Battered At Clearwater Homeless Shelter

CLEARWATER, FL — A 24- year-old man has been arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a 41-year-old woman at a Pinellas County homeless shelter.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office arrested Giovanni Lucas Tuesday and charged him with sexual battery for assaulting a woman at Pinellas Safe Harbor, 14840 49th St. N., Clearwater. Pinellas State Harbor is an emergency homeless shelter and a jail-diversion program designed to be a safe haven for people who are homeless and require services to get back on their feet.

Deputies learned that the woman was approached by Lucas inside Pinellas Safe Harbor, touched her breasts and offered her money in exchange for sexual favors.

Deputies said Lucas then battered the woman.