PORT CHARLOTTE, FL – A 39-year-old man, identified as Adam Michael Franz, has been arrested on multiple lewd and lascivious charges involving a female victim under the age of 16. Franz, a friend of the victim’s family, allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with the juvenile multiple times over the last two years.
The investigation began on Tuesday, August 5, when deputies responded to a Port Charlotte home after the victim’s mother discovered concerning text messages of a sexual nature, which included nude photographs of the victim. The victim confirmed the activity when confronted by her mother.
According to the police, the abuse occurred on multiple occasions, including when the victim was left in Franz’s care and when he vacationed with the victim’s family.
During the investigation, detectives found that Franz had sent messages to the victim instructing her to delete other messages to hide their communication. When detectives made contact with Franz, he requested to speak with an attorney.
He was arrested and transported to the Charlotte County Jail, where he is being held on a $300,000 bond.
“If you do something that hurts an innocent child in my county, you will face the consequences,” said Sheriff Bill Prummell. “I don’t care who you are, we will find you and you will be arrested. There is zero sympathy for people who prey on children, period.”
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