Bradenton man accused of molesting teen he met on social media, deputies say
A Bradenton man is accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl after using social media to arrange a meeting with her after school, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested 22-year-old Keshawn Jordan Simmons on a charge of lewd or lascivious molestation after investigators said he contacted the girl through TikTok and later communicated with her on Snapchat.
An attorney representing Simmons declined to comment when reached by the Bradenton Herald.
According to an arrest report, the investigation began after the girl told deputies she met Simmons on TikTok about two weeks before the encounter. Their conversations later moved to Snapchat.
The girl told investigators she agreed to meet Simmons on May 7 after getting out of school. After leaving her bus stop, Simmons followed her to a basketball court at an apartment complex, according to the report.
Bradenton man arrested in molestation case
Once there, Simmons hugged the girl and allegedly attempted to pull down her pants three times, deputies wrote. The girl told investigators she repeatedly told him to stop. She also alleged Simmons touched her inappropriately over her clothing.
According to the report, Simmons became irritated when the girl continued resisting his advances. The encounter ended when she told him she was going home, investigators wrote.
The girl’s mother later learned about the meeting after another parent contacted her about the encounter, deputies said.
The girl told detectives she told Simmons she was 14 years old, but he had declined to disclose his age to her when she asked.
A relative of the girl later communicated with Simmons through Snapchat while posing as the victim, deputies said. Investigators said Simmons discussed sexual activity and attempted to arrange another meeting.
Investigators reviewed Snapchat messages and screenshots showing Simmons attempted to send an Uber to pick up the girl and bring her to his home, according to the arrest report. One screenshot listed Simmons’ home address in Bradenton as the destination, according to deputies.
Simmons later voluntarily came to the sheriff’s office for an interview after deputies contacted him, according to the report.
According to deputies, he initially denied knowing the girl or meeting her. After investigators confronted him with Snapchat records and witness statements, investigators say Simmons admitted the encounter occurred but claimed the contact was consensual, an arrest report said.
Deputies said Simmons told investigators he did not know the girl’s age and said he could not believe she was 14 years old when informed by detectives.
Investigators also noted similarities to a separate March case involving Simmons. According to the report, that investigation involved allegations that Simmons communicated with a different girl through Snapchat, arranged transportation to his home and engaged in unwanted sexual contact after the victim told him to stop.
Investigators wrote that an arrest warrant had been filed in that case, but court records did not show any criminal charges related to the March investigation in Manatee County.
In the current case, court records show Simmons pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. He is prohibited from contacting the alleged victim while the case is pending. His arraignment is scheduled for June 26.
Jail records show Simmons remains in custody at the Manatee County Jail as of Friday afternoon.
