A Florida man has been taken into custody in El Paso, Texas, on a Flagler County fugitive warrant for child sexual abuse. The arrest follows a rigorous six-month investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Major Case Unit into allegations of child sex crimes spanning several years and multiple jurisdictions.
Giovanni Curtis, 22, was arrested over the weekend by the El Paso Police Department. The warrant was issued after an investigation that began in May, when a victim’s parent contacted detectives. The parent reported learning that Curtis had allegedly inappropriately touched their child multiple times over a period of years and had also performed oral sex on another victim.
According to the FCSO, the parent also told detectives that when confronted about the abuse, Curtis admitted to touching other children as well.
Inter-Agency Cooperation Leads to Arrest
Major Case Unit detectives traveled to El Paso with assistance from the United States Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID) to interview Curtis about the allegations. During the interview, Curtis reportedly admitted to the allegations, and detectives recovered information that corroborated witness statements and outlined years of abuse.
Investigators also determined that Curtis was 13 years old when the crimes occurred in Flagler County. The FCSO is collaborating with other agencies investigating additional crimes Curtis may have committed in different jurisdictions.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly praised the investigative work and vowed to seek justice for victims, regardless of how much time has passed.
“This arrest shows that time does not erase the trauma caused by predators who victimize and steal the innocence away from young children, and being a child yourself does not provide you immunity from the law,” said Sheriff Staly. “Our detectives will continue to pursue justice for victims no matter how long it takes.”
Sheriff Staly also commended the victims for their bravery in speaking up, stating, “Their brave actions may have prevented others from becoming victims.”
Curtis faces a charge of Sexual Battery on a victim under 12. He is currently being held at the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $150,000 bond, where he awaits extradition back to Flagler County.
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