Morris Cornelius Thomas of Fort Lauderdale, Florida has been arrested for allegedly sexually battering a 12-year-old boy at a shopping center in Margate.
Thomas, 32, faces one count of sexual battery on a victim 12 years of age or older. He is being held without bond in Broward County Jail. The press did not name an attorney for him.
According to the arrest report, the incident happened on March 18 in a restroom at the Village Plaza in Margate. Thomas allegedly coerced the victim into performing the sex act by threatening to kill him if he didn’t do it.
The victim told his parents about the alleged incident, and they called the police. Thomas reportedly doesn’t know the victim. Police believe this was a one-time incident, but they are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Another sexual battery incident was reported in the Florida Keys last week. Bryan Keller of Key Largo is accused of raping a 17-year-old girl since when she was 7 years old.
Keller, 40, was charged with sexual battery on a victim younger than 12. He was booked into jail on May 1 where he remains held on $1 million bond. Attorney information was not immediately available.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, detectives started investigating Keller after the victim reported him on April 17. The victim told investigators that Keller has been raping her since when she was 7 years old.
The sexual assaults, which included oral, vaginal, and anal sex, sometimes occurred multiple times a day. The victim told investigators that once she reached puberty, Keller bought her birth control pills, the police report indicates.
Keller allegedly told the victim that he would likely be jailed for what he was doing to her, but he “didn’t care,” the report said.
Investigators set up a controlled phone call between the victim and Keller on April 29. The victim told Keller that she wanted their relationship to end and that it was becoming hard to keep it secret. Keller reportedly told her that they could wait until she turn 18 before continuing their relationship.
“Keller could be heard on the controlled call pleading with the victim to allow him to sexually assault her a few more times before he ceased his criminal actions,” a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Keller after the call.
The victim told investigators that the abuse occurred in multiple cities in Florida and in another state before they moved to Key Largo. Detectives have reportedly contacted the law enforcement agencies of those cities to determine if Keller will face charges in those jurisdictions.
Fort Lauderdale Sexual Battery Attorney
If you are involved in a sexual battery case, then you should hire an attorney. Contact us to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of Fort Lauderdale’s most experienced sexual battery attorneys.
Sources: 4.30.19 stranger sexually assaulted boy, 12, threatened to kill him, police say.pdf & 5.2.19 teen says florida keys man has raped her since she was 7.pdf