Man accused of trying to meet 13-year-old Charlotte County girl for sex

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

A 20-year-old Bradenton man was arrested Friday after he was accused of attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex in Charlotte County.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Kevin Lopez Perez was intercepted and arrested by detectives after they learned he had gone to Luther Road, after he was accused of communicating with the girl.

Previously, deputies said Perez was accused of having a sexual encounter with the girl in December 2025, and the victim's family had discovered it.

On Thursday evening, Perez reportedly went back to the girl's home and was accused of going there for another encounter, but her family stopped him and reached out to CCSO, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies found Perez in his vehicle near the home and arrested him. When interviewing Perez, detectives say he reportedly admitted to them that he had sex with the girl.

Perez was taken to the Charlotte County Jail and he is facing charges of lewd or lascivious battery (victim 12 years or older, but less than 16) and traveling to meet a minor after using a computer to lure a child. Both are second-degree felonies, and he is being held without bond.

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