More victims possible in new Bradenton case against former registered sex predator

MANATEE -- Investigators believe there could be more victims who could have been molested or raped by a former registered sex predator who already is facing new charges.

Gary Adam Meeks, 34, was arrested last week and charged with one count of capital sexual battery. The charge involves a 5-year-old girl.

Meek is now facing additional charges after two more victims, ages 10 and 11, came forward to make similar allegations. All three children are known to Meeks.

Meeks is being held without bond at the Manatee County jail.

Investigators are now concerned there could be more victims.

"Whenever you have a case like this, there is always a potential for other victims," sheriff's office spokesman Dave Bristow said. "So we want to get the word out to the public that if they know anything as far as this person is concerned, to give us a call."

The allegation Meeks sexually abused a 5-year-old girl came to light when a Manatee County Sheriff's Office child protective investigator and a deputy went to the girl's home and interviewed her about an unrelated case. Investigators immediately took the girl to the Child Protective Investigative Division Office for a forensic interview, during which she said she was abused at least three other times.

The victim also said she was threatened with a spanking if she told anyone about the sexual abuse, according to investigators.

Meeks denied the allegations when interviewed by investigators but said he may have touched the girl accidently while cleaning or changing her.

Meeks, who previously was a registered sex predator, was allowed in 2013 to withdraw from a previous plea deal he entered into for a reduced charge of false imprisonment from 2003 in exchange for testifying against his codefendant, his girlfriend at the time of crime. In that case, the couple was charged with molesting and sexually battering a 3-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 11:04 PM with the headline "More victims possible in new Bradenton case against former registered sex predator ."