Deerfield Beach Man Accused Of Sexually Battering 2 Teens May Have More Victims, Coconut Creek Police Say

By Hunter Geisel, CBS Miami

February 29, 2024

COCONUT CREEK — A man who was arrested for allegedly sexually battering two teenagers in Broward County this month may have more victims, police stated.

The Coconut Creek Police Department is investigating to see whether 22-year-old Ternell Cartagena of Deerfield Beach may have assaulted more people. He is currently charged with two counts of sexual battery of a juvenile, along with two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior, online solicitation of a child, and several other crimes. He has been held at Broward County Jail since his arrest on February 9, CCPD stated.

According to the probable cause statement from court records, police responded to a sexual battery allegation at a home on February 6. Upon arrival, police spoke with the parents of one of the victims, who had found evidence that suggested she had sex with an unidentified 19-year-old man three times back in January. The father told police that he and his ex-wife -- the victim's mother -- were made aware of the situation by the mother of one of their daughter's friends. From there, text messages then revealed that the victim and the unknown male -- who had gone by the nickname of "Nuk" -- suggested that they had sex around the days the parents were told of, the probable cause statement wrote.

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