St. Pete Man Accused Of Having Sex With Child: Sheriff's Office

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A 21-year-old St. Petersburg man is accused of having sex with a minor after he became friends with the victim through mutual friends at Astro Skate Park in Pinellas Park.

The suspect, Dallas Taft, started having conversations with the victim via Instagram and Snapchat after he became acquainted with her, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

Taft told the victim he was a senior in high school, and he posted pictures on social media that made him appear to be a senior, authorities said.

Taft picked up the victim from her residence and took her on a date, investigators said.

The suspect admitted that he was aware of the victim's age when he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim on multiple occasions, detectives said.

Taft faces charges of lewd and lascivious battery, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.