PALM HARBOR, Fla. — A 19-year-old Palm Harbor man is facing charges after he admitted to sexually battering an underage girl and taking pictures of the battery, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities say the 13-year-old victim woke up to the suspect, Alexander Fortuna, sexually battering her around 6 a.m. Deputies say Fortuna knew the victim, who had fallen asleep in his bedroom the night before.
The sheriff's office says the victim pretended to be asleep during the assault because she was scared. She called 911 after and reported it. She told authorities Fortuna smelled like beer and she heard what sounded like a cellphone taking pictures during the battery, according to deputies.
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Detectives say Fortuna admitted to sexually battering the victim and taking pictures of the battery on his phone. He told detectives he later deleted the four to six pictures he had taken.
Fortuna also told detectives he had been drinking and that after the battery he made internet searches related to sexual battery sentencing and for DNA for sexual assaults.
Fortuna was arrested around 6 p.m. on Sunday and taken to the Pinellas County Jail. He is charged with one count of sexual battery and violation of probation for possession of marijuana for sale/manufacture/delivery.
