Palm Harbor Man Accused Of Sexual Battery Of 13-Year-Old Girl

PALM HARBOR, FL — Pinellas County Sheriff's detectives have arrested a Palm Harbor man accused of sexually battering a 13-year-old girl.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff, the crime occurred at a home on Primrose Way in Palm Harbor. Detectives said the victim fell asleep in the bedroom of 19-year-old Alexander Fortuna Saturday night. At about 6 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, she was awakened by Fortuna sexually battering her, according to the sheriff's office.

The victim pretended to be asleep during the attack out of fear. The victim said Fortuna's breath smelled of beer, and she heard what sounded like a cell phone taking pictures during the battery.

Afterward, she called 911 to report the crime.

During an interview with detectives, Fortuna admitted to sexually battering the victim and taking photos on his cell phone but said he later deleted four to six of the photos.

Prior to the assault, Fortuna told detectives he did Internet searches for information about sentences for sexual battery and the use of DNA in sexual assault cases.

Fortuna was arrested around 6 p.m. Sunday and charged with one count of sexual battery and violation of probation for possession and sale of marijuana.