MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 25-year-old man was arrested Saturday on charges that he sexually battered a 13-year-old girl and sent her explicit material, Marion County sheriff’s investigators said.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Anthony Groves and said detectives charged him with five counts of sexual battery on a victim between 12 and 16, transmission of harmful material to a minor and solicitation of a minor for sexual acts.
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He was taken into custody July 4 and is being held without bond at the Marion County Jail pending his first court appearance.
Deputies were called July 4 after a parent found sexually explicit messages on the girl’s cellphone, according to an arrest affidavit and a sheriff’s office news release. A deputy who reviewed the messages determined they appeared to show sexual contact and contacted a Major Crimes detective to continue the investigation.
The victim was interviewed at the Kimberly Center for Child Protection, where she told investigators Groves had sexually assaulted her multiple times over about a month and had sent two explicit videos, the affidavit says. The victim said one incident occurred on July 2.
Detective Hunter Kephart interviewed Groves after he was located. The affidavit says Groves initially characterized the relationship as a friendship, then acknowledged the communications and ultimately admitted to the sexual battery during questioning. He later asked for an attorney, the report says.
Investigators allege four incidents involved digital penetration and one involved intercourse. They also allege Groves sent explicit images or videos to the victim and asked her to get high to have sex, the affidavit says.
Because of the nature of the allegations, authorities said Groves may have additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Kephart at (352) 368-3562.