An Ocala man is facing a slew of charges after he was accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl that he met at a neighborhood pool.
On Monday, July 28, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after receiving information about a man, identified as 56-year-old Roberto Maurizio Stracuzzi, who had allegedly committed numerous sex crimes against a teen girl, according to MCSO.
During a forensic interview, the teen victim mentioned that she had met Stracuzzi at a neighborhood pool on Friday, July 18. After exchanging their Snapchat information, Stracuzzi allegedly began messaging the victim on the app.
The conversation between Stracuzzi and the victim allegedly turned sexual in nature, with Stracuzzi allegedly sending explicit photos of himself to the victim and receiving child sexual abuse material from her.
MCSO stated that Stracuzzi downloaded the child sexual abuse material, which depicted the victim, onto his cellphone.
According to MCSO, Stracuzzi allegedly gave a sex toy to the victim that had previously belonged to his ex-wife. During multiple FaceTime calls with the victim, Stracuzzi allegedly masturbated and encouraged the victim to use the sex toy.
The victim told investigators that Stracuzzi had solicited her for sexual activity via WhatsApp, and he allegedly planned for her to sneak out of her home.
Stracuzzi was located at his home and transported to MCSO headquarters for an interview. After being read his Miranda rights, he allegedly corroborated the victim’s statements, including the sexual nature of his conversations with her.
Stracuzzi was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing the following charges: using a computer to solicit a child, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and two counts each of lewd or lascivious conduct, lewd or lascivious exhibition over a computer service, use of a child in a sexual performance, transmitting material harmful to a minor, and possession of child pornography.
Jail records show that Stracuzzi is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2.