Palmetto man charged with raping girl

BRADENTON -- A 29-year-old man is charged with sexually assaulting a girl, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

The ex-girlfriend of Justin Drennan, of Palmetto, told his sister on Monday that earlier this year she had walked into the living room she used to share with Drennan to see him sexually assaulting a young girl who was sleeping on the couch, according to an arrest report.

Drennan's sister talked to her mother, who asked the victim if anything like that had occurred. The victim originally denied it, but when a "trusted neighbor" came over to speak with her about it the victim said she had sex with Drennan once.

The mother notified police, who interviewed the victim. She said she had sex with Drennan once or twice, but when asked if she was sure she said it happened about 10 times, according to the report. She said every incident happened at Drennan's residence and that it started when her grandmother was alive, and the grandmother is now deceased. She said the last time it happened was in October.

Drennan was arrested Monday and charged with capital sexual battery on a victim younger than 12 and intent to touch a child younger than 16 in a lewd manner. He is being held in the Manatee County jail without bond.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 8:35 AM with the headline "Palmetto man charged with raping girl ."