Sanford, FL police have taken into custody a 30-year-old man known as Edward Alexander Henry following reports of inappropriate interactions with young girls in the vicinity of local schools. According to ClickOrlando, Henry was charged for making "vulgar sexual comments" towards two young females walking near their educational institutions.
The incidents, which occurred last Wednesday, prompted calls to the authorities on two separate occasions. It emerged that the suspect engaged these young students near Sanford Middle School and Seminole High School, swiftly approaching them in a silver sedan. Police have worked tirelessly to track down and apprehend the individual responsible rapidly. Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith lauded the courage of the girls involved, stating, "I cannot commend these young women enough in coming forward and being the catalyst that put this disgusting predator behind bars," as per the statement reported by ClickOrlando.
Further investigations brought to light Henry's status as a registered sex offender, with a history that includes previous arrests and allegations of lewd behavior. FOX 35 Orlando detailed that Henry had served a prison sentence following incidents in 2014, and as recently as August, he was implicated in displaying obscene material to a minor.
Now, authorities fear there could be more undetected victims out there. "Our children should be able to walk to and from school without fear of encountering such vulgar and sickening individuals," Smith stated, as per FOX 35 Orlando. The Sanford Police Department and Crimeline are jointly reaching out to the public, urging anyone with information or those who may have similarly been targeted to come forward. Anonymity is promised to those who choose to provide information through Crimeline.
The charges leveled against Henry include two counts of lewd lascivious behavior or lascivious battery with a victim aged 12 to 16, and two counts of public order crimes criminal solicitation felony second degree. As the investigation unfolds, he is being detained at the Seminole County Jail, with potential additional victims yet to come forward.
