PALM COAST, Fla. – A 38-year-old Palm Coast man has been arrested following a 17-month investigation that uncovered allegations he repeatedly sexually abused two young girls over several years, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Joseph Spector was arrested July 25 and charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation. He is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on a $150,000 bond.
The investigation began in February 2025 after the Florida Department of Children and Families received a report alleging Spector had inappropriately touched one of the victims.
A Department of Children and Families investigator contacted a Flagler County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy, who assisted with interviewing the victim at her school.
According to investigators, the girl disclosed that Spector had inappropriately touched her breast during an incident in 2022.
During a later forensic interview with the First Coast Child Protection Team, the victim alleged that Spector showed her pornographic material, provided her with alcohol and frequently engaged in what she described as “cuddling sessions,” during which she said he sexually abused her. She also reported that her sister had been abused in a similar manner.
The second victim later confirmed to investigators that similar “cuddling sessions” had occurred and reported an incident in which Spector allegedly masturbated next to her.
In April 2025, detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit conducted a covert operation during which Spector allegedly stated that although he might not remember everything that happened, he was sorry.
Detectives formally interviewed Spector in April 2026. According to the Sheriff’s Office, he denied the allegations. When confronted with statements he allegedly made during the covert operation, Spector responded that he did not remember making them, adding, “I don’t remember, and if it happened, I was drunk.”
On July 25, detectives arranged to meet Spector at a restaurant in Bunnell through investigative means. After he arrived, Major Case Unit detectives and Community Policing Division deputies took him into custody without incident.
“I commend those two brave victims, as this investigation never would have happened without their courage to speak up and come forward with what this pervert did to them,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “From there, this case showed excellent teamwork between our Major Case Unit, the school resource deputy who took the initial report, deputies who assisted in the apprehension, and our partners at the Florida Department of Children and Families during the entire investigation to put this pervert behind bars and held accountable. I hope he goes to prison for a long time.”
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone who is a victim of child sexual abuse or knows someone in Flagler County that is to report it by contacting the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911. Reports may also be made to the Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline by calling 1-800-962-2873 or using the online reporter portal at reportabuse.myflfamilies.com.