Bradenton man told girl to keep sex abuse a secret, deputies say. He’s arrested
A Bradenton man faces multiple felony charges after a 12-year-old girl accused him of sexually abusing her multiple times, according to investigators
John Wesley Tench Jr., 49, is charged with lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition and sexual battery involving a child, court records show. He could face up to life in prison if convicted.
An attorney representing Tench did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
The allegations involve at least three incidents of abuse between August 2024 and December 2025, according to an arrest report
The girl reportedly told investigators that during one of the incidents, she was watching a movie with Tench on a couch when he reached under a shared blanket and inside her clothing. According to an arrest report, Tench began masturbating while touching the victim inappropriately.
The victim also described an earlier incident in 2024 in which Tench allegedly took her to a shed, exposed himself and masturbated while telling her to keep it a secret, according to the arrest report. She told investigators he later got into bed with her, began touching her again and continued masturbating, the report says.
Investigators wrote in the report that Tench told her at the time to “keep it a secret, no one needs to know.”
Bradenton man arrested in sex abuse case
The girl told investigators on another occasion Tench tried to bribe her into having sex and communicated with her through Snapchat, according to the report. Recordings reviewed by law enforcement on the social media platform allegedly captured Tench making explicit comments and asking to see her naked, investigators wrote.
Tench allegedly again told the girl not to tell anyone “because he could get into trouble,” according to an arrest report.
Investigators said the girl’s account remained consistent during an interview at Manatee Children’s Services.
A detective attempted to interview Tench, but his attorney declined to make him available, according to the arrest report.
Deputies with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tench in February and booked him into the Manatee County Jail, where he remains in custody without bond, according to court records.
Prosecutors later upgraded the charges to include counts punishable by up to life in prison. Tench has pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial, court records show.
An arraignment on the amended charges is scheduled for Friday at the Manatee County Judicial Center, according to court records.
