Zephyrhills Man Charged With Molesting 12-Year-Old Girl

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL -- The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 70-year-old Zephyrhills man for reportedly molesting a 12-year-old girl on several occasions.

Pasco deputies arrested Kenneth Pope Hudgins of 35825 Diamond Head Court and charged him with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim 12 to 15 years old.

According to the arrest report, the 12-year-old said Hudgins touched her inappropriately on top of and beneath her clothing on several occasions between Jan. 1, 2015 and Sept. 13, 2018. The incidents were witnessed by the victim's sister who gave a consistent statement.

When interviewed, Hudgins admitted that he touched the girl's breasts and vagina, but claimed it was only on the outside of her clothing. He said the act was for sexual gratification and claimed he was "sick" and seeking help for his problem.

Image via Pasco sheriff