The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 62-year-old man last week after he was accused of sexually battering and molesting multiple children.
On August 3, an MCSO Major Crimes detective was notified that a child had disclosed during an interview that she had been sexually battered by Anthony Scafford Outar, according to the sheriff’s office.
The juvenile victim claimed that Outar had taken her to an abandoned home. Once inside the home, she stated that her clothing was forcefully removed, and Outar allegedly sexually battered her.
After the incident, the juvenile victim stated that Outar gave her $100 and a phone charger, and he allegedly instructed her to not tell anyone about the abuse, according to MCSO.
An investigation was launched by the MCSO detective, and the sheriff’s office stated that the detective was made aware of three additional children who had disclosed that they were sexually battered by Outar.
MCSO stated that the three additional victims each made similar statements about Outar sexually battering and molesting them on multiple occasions. They described incidents that allegedly occurred in Outar’s vehicle, an abandoned home, and other places where he could be alone with them.
The additional victims also claimed that Outar purchased items for them in an attempt to keep them from disclosing the alleged sexual abuse. One of the victims claimed that Outar threatened to have a gang member “shoot up her house and come after her” if she said anything, according to MCSO.
A warrant was obtained for Outar’s arrest, and deputies arrested him on August 31. He is being charged with sexual battery on a victim younger than 12 years of age (three counts), lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim younger than 12 years of age (two counts), sexual battery on a victim older than 12 but younger than 18 years of age (two counts), tampering with a witness (two counts), lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim older than 12 but younger than 16 years of age (one count), and human trafficking for commercial sexual activity (one count).
Outar was previously arrested on August 4 for sexual battery on a victim younger than 12 years of age. He is currently being held at Marion County Jail on $100,000 bond.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, according to jail records.
Due to the nature of the allegations against Outar, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office believes that there could be additional victims. Anyone who may have been victimized by Outar is asked to contact Detective Caitlin Hartigan at 352-368-3535.