Man Arrested for Allegedly Raping Child in 1979

An elderly Wisconsin man remains behind bars as of Friday on charges that he allegedly raped a 9-year-old boy when he resided in east Volusia County nearly 34 years ago.

The boy, now 43, came forward to police with the allegations last year.

He apparently told investigators that the now 73-year-old man raped him in the bathroom of a Holly Hill-area home one morning in August 1979.

The alleged victim claims he missed his school bus on Aug. 14, 1979 and the man asked him if he wanted to stay home, according to a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

Investigators believe the boy said yes and stayed with the man.

The report indicates that the man asked the boy to come into the bathroom and to take off his clothes for a shower, which they often took together to save water.

Then, the man allegedly molested the boy, according to the report.

Many of the details regarding the report are blacked out because of the nature of the allegations.

Volusia County deputies arrested the elderly man on Wednesday.

He is charged with sexual battery of a victim under age 12 and lewd and lascivious molestation.

The man lives in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, a town about 43 miles north of Milwaukee.

His accuser resides in St. Petersburg.

The alleged abuse happened at a home in the 1400 block of Alabama Avenue near Holly Hill.

The elderly man apparently told investigators that the sexual assault never happened. He is being held in the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach.

While rape charges may involve technical pieces of evidence, including DNA, most of these cases are centered around the testimony of the alleged victim. After a rape accusation is made it is absolutely vital to contact a sex crimes defense lawyer who can relay your side of the story and protect you from the life-changing consequences that accompany a conviction such as prison, sex offender registration and probation.

If you have been accused of rape or suspect that you may be soon, it is very important to not discuss the details of your case with anyone other than your lawyer, especially law enforcement. Without even knowing it, you could provide police with information that could limit you from using certain defenses. Even if you have a firm understanding of the law, what you tell police and what they write down in their report can be two entirely different things. By speaking with police or prosecutors, you could provide the state with the evidence needed to charge you with a crime that could haunt you for the rest of your life. With your reputation, freedom and future on the line, it is essential to have a criminal defense lawyer overseeing all aspects of your case from the very beginning.

If you or someone you care for has been falsely accused of or charged with rape, or any other sexual offense in Florida, a Volusia County Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you formulate the most effective line of defense. Call us today statewide and toll-free at 866-608-5529 or contact us online to discuss your case.