The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested 20-year-old Brandon Raymond this week for allegedly having an ongoing inappropriate relationship with a minor, the agency announced Thursday. Raymond is accused of having relations with the victim, described only as ‘teenage’, both electronically and in person. Records show Raymond resides in Palm Coast’s P Section.
The investigation began on September 16th, when the parent of the victim contacted the FCSO. They told deputies they believed their child was in an inappropriate relationship with an adult man, and that the two had engaged in intercourse. The parent was able only to identify the man as ‘Brandon’, but said they’d been together for around three months.
Investigating Communications
Deputies took the cell phone and iPad for forensic investigation, at the request of her parent. The FCSO’s Digital Forensics Unit discovered a series of communications on Snapchat and Instagram as well as over text message, the agency said Thursday.
Among the messages recovered from the teen’s device were reportedly several which were sexually explicit in nature. The two also were said to have spoken of previous real-life encounters they’d had together. Detectives then brought in a Florida Department of Health Child Protection Team for further assistance with the case.
The FDOH Child Protection Team interviewed the victim, and came to the same conclusion as the FCSO’s detectives: that a relationship had been ongoing for three months or so, and that they’d used multiple social media apps to communicate explicitly. The victim told the team that ‘Brandon’ knew she was a minor, and that they’d had full intercourse several times. At least one instance is said to have occurred in Raymond’s vehicle.
Obtaining Evidence
A search warrant was obtained on October 8th for Raymond’s vehicle, a DNA sample, and his cell phone. He was located in the parking lot of a Flagler Beach grocery store on October 10th, and detectives began speaking to him. Raymond reportedly admitted that he was aware of the victim’s age, as well as the fact they’d engaged in intercourse multiple times.
Detectives then took possession of Raymond’s vehicle in order to conduct a DNA sample. Testing reportedly revealed that the victim’s bodily fluids were present in the vehicle’s backseat, as well as on multiple pieces of clothing that were found in the trunk. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was given evidence for further analysis, the FCSO says.
Repeated Arrests
On November 7th, a warrant for Raymond’s arrest was obtained. He was charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a minor. Later that day he was located at his residence and arrested. He posted his $50,000 bond later that evening.
In addition to this arrest, Raymond was also taken into custody on November 1st for Volusia County charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon plus two counts of shooting or throwing a deadly missile into a vehicle. This was in relation to a shooting in Ormond Beach. He was arrested again in Volusia County for witness tampering, and extradited to Volusia County once again. His bond was revoked for this case, and he remains in custody as of Friday.
“This offender was fully aware this child he was having sex was just that — a child,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “Fortunately, the child’s parent understood how serious the situation was and contacted law enforcement. I commend the parent for being the Sheriff in their home, as well as the dedicated team members from our patrol, Major Case, Digital Forensics, CSI, Behavioral Response, and PACE units who worked hard to make this case and arrest him. Now, he can face justice for taking advantage of a young child.”
