Gulfport Teen Charged with Molesting 9-Year-Old

Zaynus Clifford Crawford, 18, is charged with sexual battery and molestation of a 9-year-old, according to Gulfport Police. 

Crawford turned himself in Friday after officials informed him they had probable cause to arrest him, according to Sgt. Robert Burkhart.

A witness walked in on Crawford and the 9-year-old during a sexual encounter, police said. Through the investigation, officials determined that there had been five such encounters between Crawford and the victim.

Crawford is being held without bail in Pinellas County Jail on felony charges of capital sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation.

Police say they do not have reason to believe there are other victims.

Burkhart says it's rare in Gulfport to arrest someone on a capital charge. The maximum penalty for a capital charge is the death penalty.

"The last capital felony we investigated was the Riley Bryan homicide," Burkhart said.