A Sumter County jury on Tuesday found Colton Steven Colyer, 33, guilty of multiple felony counts related to the sexual battery and molestation of a child.
Colyer was convicted on three counts of Sexual Battery upon a Person under Twelve Years of Age and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child following a trial. The convictions stem from crimes committed in Sumter County when the victim was between six and eight years old.
Colyer was arrested immediately after the verdict. He will remain detained pending a sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled at a later date.
Inter-Agency Cooperation Leads to Arrest
The case required inter-agency cooperation that spanned the country. The investigation began in February 2024, when officials from Snohomish County, Washington, contacted investigators in Sumter County, Florida, regarding a crime committed in Florida.
Washington officials were reportedly investigating a local crime when they uncovered evidence linking the defendant to actions in Florida. They provided evidence, including recorded interviews with Colyer, screen captures, and written statements, to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).
SCSO Inspector Pamela Warren subsequently interviewed the victim, who provided a detailed account of the sexual battery. The victim’s timeline of events was corroborated by a witness, and the victim also furnished copies of messages where Colyer apologized for the crimes, sent approximately a decade after they occurred.
An arrest warrant was issued, leading to Colyer’s apprehension in Washington. He was then transported back to Sumter County to face the charges locally.
Assistant State Attorneys Shelby Senn and Michael Kotsifakis prosecuted the case.
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