FL- Man slapped with sex charge upon leaving hospital

8-27-2009 Florida:

WILDWOOD -- A 37-year-old man is facing charges of having sex with a minor as well as nursing head injuries, apparently after his roommate, the child's father, discovered the man having sex with his 16-year-old daughter.

Wildwood police said the father attacked the man with the butt of an unloaded shotgun last week shortly after arriving home and finding the man naked.

Police said after striking the man with the gun, the father pinned him down until police arrived. The 37-year-old was taken to Leesburg Regional Medical Center with injuries to the head. He was arrested Monday shortly after being discharged by officers who were waiting for him.

He is still in the Lake County jail Wednesday on $70,000 bail.

A jail official said Wednesday he would likely be taken to the Sumter County jail if he hasn't posted bond in two more days.

The Daily Commercial does not publish names or any information that would identify the victim of a sexual assault.

The incident occurred at the Stanley Street home of the 37-year-old man. The father and daughter lived with him, police said.

Police said when the father came into the home, he grabbed the first thing he saw -- the shotgun. Sgt. Russell Poitevent said the father knew the gun was unloaded and didn't try to shoot him, but did strike the man hard enough to send him to the hospital.

The father was taken into custody, questioned and released. Valentino added the 37-year-old signed a waiver stating he didn't want to file assault charges against the father.

Lt. Paul Valentino said the police would forward their investigation to the State Attorney's Office to determine if charges will be filed against the father. ..Source.. by MILLARD K. IVES, Staff Writer