Teen Molested At Siesta Key Sleepover: Deputies

SARASOTA, FL — A 57-year-old Sarasota man faces multiple charges after a teenage girl accused him of molesting her during a July 4 sleepover at a home on Siesta Key last year. The man, who was also recently charged in a similar case in Manatee County, is also accused of supplying kids Xanax and alcohol.

According to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, its investigation into Behzad Izadi’s alleged criminal actions began in April when the now 14-year-old girl told a counselor she had been sexually battered during a July 4 party in 2016 when she was 13, an arrest report stated.

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When deputies conducted a forensic interview with the victim, she told them she and a group of girlfriends had been invited to a party at a rented condo near Siesta Beach. Izadi was the only adult present.

“The victim reported Izadi bought alcohol for the minors and had encouraged them to drink,” the arrest report said. The victim also told deputies she had been at other parties where Izadi “was handing out Xanax,” the report added.

On the night of the alleged molestation, the girl told deputies she fell asleep on the couch. She woke up when she felt something touching her. Izadi, the arrest report said, was “kneeling down next to the couch.” He’s accused of inappropriately touching the girl until she was able to leave the room. The report said she then went into a bedroom and cried, but fell asleep. She was again awoken by Izadi allegedly touching her inappropriately, the report added.

The investigation led Sarasota County deputies to three other possible victims, all 14-year-old girls. Their stories were similar, the report noted.

Izadi was charged with three counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and a count of lewd or lascivious conduct on Sunday. His arrest was announced on June 1. Izadi remained in the Sarasota County Jail Thursday in lieu of $600,000 bond.

The arrest report noted Izadi was also recently charged in a similar crime in Bradenton. In that case, he faces lewd and lascivious battery, lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor charges.

The sheriff’s office said investigators believe there are more victims. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 941-861-4916.

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Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office