Man Found in Teenager's Closet Faces Sex Crime Charges

A 36-year-old man was recently charged with multiple sex crimes after local police officers found that he had been staying in a Hernando County teenager’s bedroom for more than a month.

Johnathan Rossmoine was arrested after the boy’s parents found him in the closet of the bedroom, according to a local ABC News affiliate. He was charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious behavior on a child between the age of 12 and 16, one count of obscene communication and one count of travel to meet after use of a computer to lure a child.

Rossmoine admitted to police officers that he traveled several times from his home in Louisiana to Hernando County to have sex with the boy, according to the news report. He said he met the online two years earlier and that he had been living on and off in the bedroom for nearly two months.

Rossmoine had been in the bedroom for the last five weeks, according to police. Cops say he was still hiding in the closet when they arrived on the scene, the Hernando Sun reports.

Pending trial, Rossmoine is being held in jail on $25,000 bond.

Legal Rights for People Charged with Florida Sex Crimes

Whether it is lewd and lascivious conduct, an internet offense or sexual assault, being charged with a sex crime in Florida is a serious situation that can come with significant consequences for the person charged and his or her family.

A conviction often means steep fines and long stretches of time behind bars. That is not to mention the social stigma that often follows a sex crime conviction and the difficulty it can pose for finding and keeping a job.

It is important to understand that the burden is at all times on prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the specific crime with which you have been charged. That is a higher standard than simply showing that it is more likely than not that you committed the crime. It includes proving criminal intent, or that the person charged with the crime knowingly committed the offense.

An experienced sex crimes attorney can help you understand your rights and explore your rights to build the strongest possible defense. An attorney can also work to reduce the impact of a conviction by negotiating a plea deal, in certain situations.

Speak with a Florida Sex Crimes Attorney

If you or a loved one has been charged with or is suspected of a sex crime in Florida, it is vital that you seek help from a experienced Fort Lauderdale sex crimes attorney.

At Whittel & Melton, we represent clients throughout Florida who have been charged with a wide variety of offenses, including sexual assault, rape and child pornography. Our attorneys work tirelessly to fight these charges head on.

We handle cases throughout the state, including in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Pensacola. Contact us online or call 866-608-5529 for a free consultation with a Florida sex crimes attorney.