Largo Man Faces Lewd and Lascivious Battery Charges Involving a Girl Under 16

The has arrested a 21-year-old Largo man on charges of lewd and lascivious battery on a female victim under the age of 16.

The Crimes Against Children Detectives began the  investigation of Zachery Tarver when the victim let school officials know that Tarver had sent her inappropriate images of himself to her cell phone, officials said.

The School Resource Officer spoke with the victim and started the preliminary investigation. Tarver and the victim met online where he allegedly portrayed himself as a 17-year-old student. The victim and Tarver allegedly had three consensual sexual encounters over a two-month period, according to investigators.

After the victim received the images on her cell phone, she apparently began to feel uncomfortable with the relationship and eventually reported the matter to her school administration, investigators said.

Detectives arrested Tarver this afternoon (May 11) at his probation office on the charges of lewd and lascivious battery (three counts) and VOP lewd and lascivious battery.

According to officials, he was arrested on the charge of lewd and lascivious battery of a child in 2010.

Detectives believe there may be other victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Crimes Against Children Unit at (727) 582-6200. Or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.