A 40-year-old Palm Bay chef is now in the Alachua County Jail after Gainesville police say he drove to town to meet a 16-year-old he had been talking to online, then sexually battered her several times, according to police and court records. The man, identified as Enrico Alaggia, was arrested Sunday and faces a slate of felony charges as the case moves through the courts.
Investigators say the teen first connected with Alaggia on a dating app. According to the arrest report, he picked her up at an apartment complex, drove her to a hotel and was later caught on surveillance video entering a room with her. Police allege additional assaults then took place in his vehicle and in a nearby parking lot. Authorities say the victim’s phone later pinged near the hotel and a 911 hang-up call was logged that night. The girl told officers that Alaggia bought her an alcoholic drink, took her phone and pressured her not to call for help. The report states that Alaggia later admitted meeting the teen online and engaging in sexual activity after learning she was under 18. He is booked on several counts, including sexual battery on a victim under 18 and traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual contact, as detailed by Alachua Chronicle.
Law-enforcement activity in the county
The arrest comes as local and state agencies are already cracking down on online exploitation and sex-offender registry compliance in Alachua County. In recent weeks, a multi-agency Florida Department of Law Enforcement operation led to 25 arrests tied to internet-facilitated crimes, according to officials. Separate child-pornography and online-solicitation investigations have also been reported this month, signaling that law enforcement is putting extra attention on digital sex crimes in the region. For more on the recent sweeps and related cases in Alachua County, see WCJB and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Charges and legal context
Prosecutors have charged Alaggia with multiple felonies, including three counts of sexual battery on a victim under 18, witness tampering and unlawful use of a communications device, reflecting what investigators say happened in the hotel room and parking lot. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail while the State pursues a motion to keep him in custody until trial. The arrest report notes that first-appearance orders in sexual-offense cases are often sealed at the early stages. As outlined by Alachua Chronicle, Florida law also makes it a separate crime to travel to meet a minor for unlawful sexual conduct after using online communication. The statute is available through the Florida Legislature.
What’s next
A hearing on the State’s motion to keep Alaggia jailed without bail is expected in the coming weeks. If the judge denies that request, the court will set a bond amount at the same hearing. The case will proceed in the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and prosecutors may file additional charges as they finish reviewing digital evidence and surveillance footage. Defense counsel has not publicly commented, and all allegations remain accusations unless and until they are proven in court.
Resources and reporting
Anyone who believes they or someone they know has been targeted online is urged to contact local law enforcement or report suspected child exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. For tips and reporting tools related to online sexual exploitation, visit NCMEC or contact the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.
