24-year-old Ellenton man charged with raping 12-year-old girl

MANATEE -- A 24-year-old man was charged Saturday night with raping an underage girl in Ellenton, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

A 12-year-old girl told a family member that she had sex with neighbor Gustavo Sanchez-Alvarez, and her mother reported it to law enforcement, according to an arrest warrant.

The girl told investigators that she was taking out the trash on Wednesday at 5:34 p.m. when she saw Sanchez-Alvarez in his vehicle in the 3400 block of 16th Lane East and got inside. The two had sex in the car, according to deputies. The girl said it was "consensual," and that she did not tell the suspect how old she was.

Deputies saw Sanchez-Alvarez getting into his vehicle after interviewing the victim and approached him. He denied having sex with the girl, saying he had only kissed her.

The victim's mother and Sanchez-Alvarez began talking in Spanish and deputies recorded the conversation. A Spanish-speaking deputy listened to the recording on scene and said Sanchez-Alvarez did admit to having sex with the girl.

Sanchez-Alvarez, who was charged with lewd and lascivious battery, was arrested at 7:34 p.m. Saturday and was released from jail after posting a $7,500 bond.

This story was originally published November 30, 2015 at 7:57 AM with the headline "24-year-old Ellenton man charged with raping 12-year-old girl ."