Port Charlotte man already in custody confesses to sexual relationship with minor, deputies say

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. —

A Port Charlotte man was arrested on Wednesday after being accused of engaging in an illegal sexual relationship with a minor.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a home on Appian Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.

The victim informed deputies that David John Reyes, 45, had been engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with her since she was 17 years old, CCSO said. Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit assumed the investigation.

Reyes was interviewed at the Charlotte County Jail, where he was already in custody for charges relating to a domestic incident. CCSO said Reyes provided a full confession of the sexual relationship and faces charges of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors.

Reyes was already registered as a sex offender in Charlotte County for lewd and lascivious battery upon a 15-year-old victim, CCSO said.

“While I certainly appreciate my team for their work in finding and arresting these predators, it kills me to see so many children being hurt like this," Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said. "I have made it very clear that this disgusting crime will not be tolerated in Charlotte County, and as long as there are people doing this, we are going to keep making them famous. To the parents in our community, please check in with your little ones. Have the difficult conversations. Believe them if they tell you they don’t feel safe in a certain place. Always report if they share something of this nature. I promise you, we take every report seriously and we will investigate thoroughly.”

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