22-year-old Sarasota man charged with molesting underage girl

MANATEE -- A 22-year-old man was charged with fondling a girl who was younger than 16, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

A girl between the ages of 12 and 16 told her middle school counselor on Wednesday that Roger Pena had inappropriately touched her on Nov. 14, according to an arrest report.

The victim told the counselor and a school resource officer that Pena had been driving her to her aunt's house that day when he reached over, stuck his hand down her shirt and started fondling her. She said she pulled away and told him to stop, and Pena laughed in response.

Pena then tried to kiss the victim, but she wouldn't let him, according to the report. They arrived at her aunt's house and she quickly exited the vehicle and went to her cousin's room, where she had no further contact with Pena.

Deputies called Pena on a recorded line and he admitted to touching the victim's chest, but said he was only "playing around," according to the report. He also said numerous times that, "he was sorry and it wouldn't happen again."

Pena was arrested and charged with molesting a victim older than 12 but younger than 16. He was released from the Manatee County jail on Thursday on $7,500 bond.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 8:30 AM with the headline "22-year-old Sarasota man charged with molesting underage girl ."