Haines City Man Accused Of Sexual Assault During Sleepover

HAINES CITY, FL — A 38-year-old Haines City man has been accused of sexually assaulting two girls younger than 15 in his Polk County home.

Joshua Tyler Ayers was taken into custody Thursday night and charged with 20 counts of custodial sexual battery and one count of sexual battery.

"The suspect's actions are reprehensible, disgusting and unfathomable," Chief Jim Elensky of the Haines City Police Department said of the arrest. "We are going to do everything in our power to get justice for these victims. We will see to it that this suspect never harms anyone ever again."

The agency's Mike Ferguson said the girls became friends on social media and arranged to have a sleepover and visit Legoland Florida last month. The park is about 10 miles away from Ayers' home.

Ayers picked up one of the girls from Alachua County and drove her to his Haines City home, where the other victim was also staying on Jan. 9, Ferguson said.

The girls told police they were battered by Ayers on Jan. 11 at his home. "One of the victims told police she was battered about 20 times," according to Ferguson.

The mother of one of the girls reported the incident to police. "Police obtained social media exchanges between a victim and Ayers referencing the incident," Ferguson said. "Ayers acknowledged the incident for one victim, but denied allegations made by the other."

Ferguson said police obtained a search warrant for Ayers' electronic devices.