Lakewood Ranch man in jail for raping a minor up to 50 times, police say

A 54-year-old Lakewood Ranch man is charged with capital sexual battery on a victim under the age of 18 — and the forced sexual acts occurred up to 50 times, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Rey Marquez abused the victim most recently on Nov. 2.

The teen summoned the courage to speak up about the abuse and secretly recorded the last incident, according to the report. Marquez is captured on time-stamped video “sneaking around upstairs and walking into the victim’s bedroom,” prior to the abuse, deputies say.

Deputies reviewed the video and then conducted controlled phone calls, listening to Marquez speak to the victim where he made several “suspicious” comments.

The age and gender of the victim were redacted from the report.

Marquez was booked into the Manatee County jail on Dec. 20 and remains in custody without bond.