Local News
Tampa man acquitted of sexual battery
Gary Pinnell | Highlands Today
Published: February 18, 2013
SEBRING - A Tampa man, arrested in July 2011 for sexual battery on a child older than 12 but younger than 18 while in his care, was acquitted Wednesday.Published: February 18, 2013
Paul Dewayne Smith, then 50, of 2921 Ramada Drive, Lot. No. 398, Tampa, was arrested after a reported sexual assault in the woods around Avon Park. The alleged incident took place on Dec. 25 when Smith is reported to have driven the girl to visit someone who lived there.
The girl attempted to alert others by honking the horn of the vehicle Smith was driving, the report said. The girl said she was told by Smith not to tell anyone. The report stated Smith denied having any sexual contact with the girl.
On Wednesday, a jury agreed with Smith, finding him not guilty on two counts of sexual battery and one count of lewd molestation. He had been held in jail on a $200,000 bond, and was released after the trial.
gpinnell@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5828