MANATEE — A Bradenton man has been arrested on a capital sexual battery charge after authorities said he raped a 4-year-old girl, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report.
Keith A. Kotecki, 27, is being held in the Manatee County jail without bond after deputies arrested him at the Manatee County courthouse last week.
Kotecki is accused of molesting the girl and telling the victim she would get in trouble if she told anyone. Kotecki denied raping the girl when interviewed by investigators and asked for an attorney, according to reports.
Man’s pants, backpack stolen in robbery
MANATEE — A Manatee man reported having his pants and backpack stolen during a robbery Tuesday night, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reports.
The 18-year-old victim said he was walking home just before midnight in the 2000 block of 64th Street Court East, when four men jumped out of a ditch and attacked him.
Sheriff’s reports say the victim told deputies the men stole his pants, which held his wallet, cell phone and credit card. The robbers also took his backpack which held other personal items, the sheriff’s report said.
The man suffered several cuts but refused medical treatment. Deputies searched the area but did not find any suspects, the sheriff’s report said.
Firefighters: Injury blaze caused by smoking
MANATEE — Firefighters said a house fire in which a man suffered burns to his face was caused by smoking, according to Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue report.
Just before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters arrived at a home in the 500 block of 59th Avenue Drive West to find light smoke showing from inside. The fire was put out before firefighters arrived, but the home needed ventilation.
A 54-year-old man who lives in the home suffered burns to his face, and emergency personnel airlifted him to Tampa General Hospital’s burn unit. Investigators have made an early ruling that the fire was “accidental due to smoking,” the Cedar Hammock report said.
Gang member gets 8 years in prison
BRADENTON — A Manatee gang member was sentenced to 8 years prison on racketeering charges Wednesday, according the Florida Attorney General’s Office.
Annuel Meranvil, 24, pleaded guilty to racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering charges as a member of the 3rd Shirt street gang, the attorney general’s office said.
The attorney general’s office said Meranvil and his fellow 3rd Shift gang members used the gang to control the drug trade in Manatee.
— Robert Napper
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