BARTOW, Fla. — Polk County detectives arrested a 37-year-old Bartow man Wednesday evening, October 7, on 56 felony counts tied to the sexual abuse of a child over about a year and a half, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Joel Arias is in the Sheriff’s Processing Center. The agency’s Special Victims Unit made the arrest.
School counselor’s report started the case
The investigation began early Wednesday. The child told a school guidance counselor about the abuse, and the counselor notified the Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy assigned to the school.
According to the child’s account, the abuse included molestation, oral sex and digital penetration. It started about a year and a half ago, deputies said. The most recent incident happened about a week ago.
Suspect gave detectives a detailed account
Detectives said Arias gave them a detailed account of the abuse during an interview. According to the arrest affidavit, he “stated that he knew he was wrong and continued the conduct.”
The Sheriff’s Office said he also admitted that every incident happened at his home.
Charges
Arias faces the following charges, according to the Sheriff’s Office:
- Lewd molestation by an adult to a juvenile victim under 12, 10 counts
- Lewd molestation by an adult to a juvenile victim over 12, 10 counts
- Sexual battery by an adult to a juvenile over 12, 15 counts
- Lewd or lascivious molestation, juvenile victim over 12, 10 counts
- Lewd or lascivious exhibition, 10 counts
- Battery of a juvenile, one count
A charge is an accusation. Arias has not been convicted of any of these crimes.
Sheriff: Victim appears to be the only one
Sheriff Grady Judd said investigators believe the child is the only person Arias abused.
“One victim is one too many,” Judd said. He credited his detectives’ work and the charges they filed, and said “Joel Arias will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.”
The Sheriff’s Office did not release the victim’s age or identity. It also did not say whether Arias has a lawyer or when his first court appearance will take place.
Polk County is in Central Florida.