Palmetto man lied about his age to date a teen, police say. Now, he’s in big trouble
A 21-year-old Palmetto man is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior for having sex with a minor under the age of 16, according to Palmetto police
Police say Byron Gomez-Garcia lied to the girls’ parents, telling them he was 17 in order to date their daughter. They discovered that after Gomez-Garcia and the teen had sex that he is actually 21.
According to the arrest report, Gomez-Garcia admitted he had sex with the underage girl on at least one occasion at a relative’s house.
Gomez-Garcia was arrested on Monday and booked into the Manatee County jail on the charge. He remains in custody on a $2,500 bond.
He also is in custody on a $1,500 bond after being arrested on an outstanding warrant for causing an injury accident while driving without a license.