Dunedin Man Accused of Sexually Battering Teen

DUNEDIN, FL — A 32-year-old Dunedin man faces criminal charges after Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies say he engaged in inappropriate sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

The arrest of Jeremy E. Anthony was announced Thursday. Deputies say they launched an investigation into the allegations on Dec. 13 after the teenage victim told an adult. That adult, in turn, notified law enforcement.

According to the sheriff’s office, Anthony had at least two encounters with the girl while she was in his care. The first reportedly occurred on Aug. 1 and the second on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

“Through various investigative techniques, detectives were able to determine that the incidents did in fact take place,” an email from the sheriff’s office said.

Anthony was interviewed by detectives on Tuesday afternoon after the allegations came to light. He was subsequently charged with one count of sexual battery and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation.

The investigation remains active. The sheriff's office did not say where the encounters took place. Anthony remained in the Pinellas County Jail Thursday in lieu of $80,000 bond.

Booking photo courtesy of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office