AP Man Charged With Molesting Child

SEBRING - An Avon Park man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $120,000 bail Thursday, charged with molesting a Sebring girl over the course of a year starting from age 10.

Michael Wayne "Big Mike" Zimmerman, 37, also known as Ziggy, was booked Wednesday on a charge of lewd lascivious behavior molestation involving victim less than 12 years old.

According to the report, on Sept. 25, the victim's mother contacted the sheriff's office to complain that the victim had been sexually assaulted, the report stated.

On Sept. 28, a "forensic interview" was completed and the victim's statements were reviewed, the report stated.

The victim, now years older, told investigators that her mother worked nights and she was in Zimmerman's care. During that time, according to the victim, from about age 10 to about age 11, Zimmerman inappropriately touched her on a recurrent basis, the report stated.

The victim reportedly told investigators that Zimmerman threatened her not to say anything to anyone and that he would bend her wrist back and told her she would die if she reported his activities.

She was afraid of Zimmerman, who is 6-feet 3-inches tall and weighs about 360 pounds, according to the arrest report, and therefore did not report the incidents for her own safety.

On Oct. 19, Det. Jamie Davidson reportedly interviewed Zimmerman.

"Zimmerman was advised that I was investigating inappropriate activity between him and (the victim)," Davidson reported. "Zimmerman immediately stated that he had not had sex with (the victim). When I explained to Zimmerman I had not stated or accused him of having sex with (the victim), Zimmerman explained he assumed he was being accused of having sex with her because that is what happens in the world today."

Zimmerman continuously denied being involved with the victim in any sexual encounter, the report stated. He stated he would not have had any inappropriate activities with the victim.