A man is being held without bond at the Hernando County Detention Center after detectives say he sexually battered two juvenile victims over an extended period dating back to their childhoods, with reported incidents spanning multiple jurisdictions in Florida and New York. Christopher Buzzone now faces three counts of sexual battery by a person 18 years of age or older on a victim under 12 years of age.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the agency received disclosures of sexual battery involving the two juvenile victims and opened an investigation led by Detective Killingsworth. That work led to an arrest warrant for Buzzone, who was ultimately arrested in Alachua County before being transferred to the Hernando County Detention Center in Brooksville.
The sheriff's office says Buzzone has no bond status, and the investigation remains ongoing, with forensic investigative efforts still pending. The agency is also coordinating with law enforcement in other jurisdictions where incidents reportedly occurred.
How Pretrial Release Is Determined
Florida's capital felony statute helps explain why Buzzone has no bond status. Under Article I, Section 14 of the Florida Constitution, defendants charged with capital offenses or crimes punishable by life imprisonment are not entitled to release as a matter of right, though a judge determines bail at the first-appearance hearing, according to the Criminal Defense Attorney Tampa firm. Sexual battery of a child under 12 is addressed in Florida Statutes § 794.011(2)(a), per Online Sunshine.
Should prosecutors intend to pursue the death penalty, they would need to file formal notice specifying aggravating factors, according to FindLaw. Prosecutors would determine how to proceed with the case.
No Time Limit on Prosecuting Decades-Old Abuse
Under Florida Statutes § 775.15, capital and life felonies have no statute of limitations; the law also has no limitation period for certain first-degree sexual battery offenses against victims under 18, according to the Sammis Law Firm.
If the case proceeds to trial, the allegations would be considered by a court. The sheriff's office said it is treating the allegations with the utmost seriousness, stating that it is committed to conducting thorough investigations and pursuing justice while ensuring victims receive support. The agency said it would issue a release once the investigation was complete.
The allegations in the Hernando County case reportedly date back to the victims' childhoods. Anyone with information about the Buzzone case is asked to contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477), or *TIPS from a cell phone. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.
