Pascal Joly of Boynton Beach, Florida is accused of inappropriately touching a child earlier this year.

Joly, 63, was charged with child abuse and sexual assault of a minor. He was ordered held on $25,000 bond. Attorney information was not available.

According to Boynton Beach police, the alleged sexual assault occurred in late February. The victim, whose age and gender has been redacted in the police report, told investigators that Joly inappropriately touched them and attempted to persuade them to go to bed with him.

The child recorded the conversation using a cell phone. Investigators said it was clear from the recording that Joly was “soliciting sexual activity” from the child.

Joly reportedly flew to Haiti shortly after the allegations of sexual assault came to light. He was arrested by U.S. Marshals at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on June 5, police said.

Joly allegedly told investigators that he was joking around with the victim. He purportedly admitted to inappropriately touching the child during a second interview.

Cases of sexual activity involving adults and minors are not uncommon in South Florida. Just last week, a 70-year-old Boca Raton man was accused of impregnating a 13-year-old girl.

Renaud Jerome was charged with illegal sexual activity with a minor and impregnating a child. He is being held without bond at Palm Beach County jail and is not to have any contact with minors. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to the police report, the 13-year-old victim was taken to North Broward Medical Center on May 24 after complaining about abdominal pain. An examination revealed that the young teen was actually 14 weeks pregnant.

Medical staff informed child protective services and the police about the pregnancy. When interviewed by police, the 13-year-old reportedly said that the father was Jerome. She said he had sex with her on multiple occasions, according to the report.

It is unclear how the two are related, but the report indicates that they lived in the same home in Boca Raton. The report doesn’t say if anyone else lived with them in the home.

Investigators questioned Jerome about the allegations and he reportedly admitted that he had sex with the 13-year-old three times over the past few months. He also allegedly admitted that he was the father of the unborn child.

The age of consent in Florida is 18. Teens aged 16 and 17 can give consent to a partner no older than 23, but anyone under 15 cannot legally consent to sex. It is considered statutory rape to have sex with a child under 15.

Unlawful sexual activity with a minor is a second degree felony. In addition to jail time, sex offender probation, and hefty fines, a conviction would also require registration in the sex offender registry. The defendant would be required to comply with sex offender registration laws for the remainder of their lives.

South Florida Sex Crimes Attorney

If you have been arrested or charged with a sexual offense in South Florida, then you should hire an attorney. Contact us to set up a free initial consultation and work with one of South Florida’s most experienced sex crime attorneys.

Source: 6.6.19 Boynton man accused of sexually assaulting child arrested at airport.pdf