SARASOTA, FL — A 23-year-old Sarasota man is facing a felony charge after investigators said he met a 15-year-old girl on Snapchat, lied about his age and later had sexual intercourse with her.
Carson Smith was arrested May 20 and charged with lewd and lascivious battery of a victim under the age of 16, Sarasota police said in a news release on Wednesday.
The victim told detectives that she first met Smith on Snapchat in March and told him she was 15. According to police, Smith told her he was 18 years old.
After they communicated on Snapchat, Smith picked up the girl on four different occasions at a gas station in Venice.
The victim told police that Smith took her to his downtown Sarasota apartment and offered her alcohol, which she declined.
During their interactions, police said Smith repeatedly told the victim, “I don’t want to get in trouble with any parents or the law.”
In April, Smith picked up the victim for the last time, and brought her back to his apartment, where he had sexual intercourse with her, police said.
Detectives believe there may be additional victims.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Sarasota Police Department Detective Angela Cox at Angela.Cox@SarasotaFL.gov or 941-263-6075.
People who want to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County at 941-366-TIPS (8477).
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