Bradenton police say man sexually abused child for years. He gets capital charge
A 67-year-old man faces a capital felony charge after Bradenton police say he sexually abused a child for several years.
Darrell Stringer, of Missouri, is charged with sexual battery on a child younger than 12, court records show. Prosecutors say Stringer abused the victim while residing in Manatee County.
If convicted, Stringer faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole under Florida law.
An attorney representing Stringer did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
FBI tip leads to Bradenton abuse investigation, records say
According to an arrest report, the investigation began in April 2024 after the FBI contacted Bradenton Police Department detectives with a tip involving allegations of past sexual abuse.
The victim told investigators the abuse began in Bradenton when she was 9 or 10 years old and continued for several years, according to the report.
Detectives said she described repeated incidents of sexual abuse that occurred in Stringer’s bedroom, approximately every other week. The victim said Stringer told her “he needed it” to manipulate her, according to the report.
The alleged abuse continued until she was at least 14, according to an arrest report.
The victim also told investigators that Stringer sometimes abused her and another person at the same time, according to the arrest report. She said she came forward after learning there were others who may have also been abused.
Abuse case scheduled for Manatee County court
At the time of the report, detectives said their attempts to contact Stringer and other potential victims were unsuccessful. Manatee County court records show Stringer is currently charged in one case.
Detectives arrested Stringer on Dec. 11 and booked him into Manatee County Jail, where records show he remains in custody.
Stringer is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on March 10 before Circuit Judge Teri Dees, records show.
