After a six-month investigation, 22-year-old Giovanni Curtis was arrested over the weekend in El Paso, Texas, on a Flagler County fugitive warrant accusing him of sexual battery of a child under 12. He is being held at the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $150,000 bond and is awaiting extradition to Flagler County. Flagler County Major Case Unit detectives traveled to Texas to interview Curtis, and authorities say he admitted to the allegations during questioning. Investigators say the probe spans several years and may involve other jurisdictions.
As reported by Tampa Free Press, the investigation began in May after a parent contacted detectives alleging Curtis had inappropriately touched their child’s genitals multiple times over several years and had performed oral sex on another victim. The parent told detectives that Curtis admitted to touching other children when confronted, officials said. Major Case Unit detectives, with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID), traveled to El Paso to interview Curtis and recovered information they say corroborated witness statements.
Investigation and cooperation
As ClickOrlando reports, detectives determined Curtis was about 13 years old when some of the alleged offenses occurred in Flagler County. Deputies say investigators stitched together records and witness accounts detailing years of abuse and are coordinating with other agencies to follow leads in additional jurisdictions. Officials described the Major Case Unit’s work as a months-long push to corroborate statements and collect evidence.
Custody and extradition
Tampa Free Press notes Curtis faces a charge of sexual battery on a victim under 12 and is being held on a $150,000 bond pending extradition to Florida. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility after the arrest, and county detention pages indicate pretrial detainees are processed at that facility. Flagler County detectives say extradition arrangements are underway while they continue reviewing evidence.
Legal implications
Under Florida law, sexual battery of a child younger than 12 is among the state’s most serious offenses. The statute outlines enhanced penalties depending on the ages of the victim and offender — including life or capital felony exposure in the most serious circumstances — see Florida Statutes 794.011 for the statutory text, as documented by The Florida Senate.
Sheriff's statement
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly praised detectives for their work, saying the arrest “shows that time does not erase the trauma” and that being young does not provide “immunity from the law,” ClickOrlando reported. He commended victims for coming forward and said detectives will continue to pursue justice as the investigation moves ahead.
Authorities say the Major Case Unit is working with partner agencies on potential additional leads; no further charges have been announced. Anyone with information should contact Flagler County investigators through official law-enforcement channels.
