A monthlong investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) has resulted in the arrest of a Palm Coast man, Brandon Raymond, 20, on charges of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The investigation began on September 16 after the victim’s concerned parent contacted the FCSO’s Behavioral Response Unit, reporting a strong suspicion that her teenage child was in a sexual relationship with a man she only knew as “Brandon.”
The parent estimated the relationship had lasted approximately three months. Following the report, deputies retrieved the victim’s cellphone and iPad for a forensic autopsy by the Digital Forensics Unit to gather evidence for the Major Case Unit’s investigation.
A digital forensic review of the victim’s devices quickly identified the man as Brandon Raymond. Detectives found he had communicated with the victim through text messages, Snapchat, and Instagram, and the recovered data included sexually explicit messages referring to past sexual activity between them.
Further confirming these findings, a Florida Department of Health Child Protection Team interviewed the victim on October 1. The victim confirmed the three-month relationship and communication methods, adding that Raymond was aware they were a minor and that the two had sex on multiple occasions, including inside Raymond’s vehicle.
The investigation progressed on October 8 when detectives obtained warrants to search Raymond’s vehicle, seize his cellphone, and collect his DNA. Two days later, detectives located Raymond in a Flagler Beach grocery store parking lot.
During their conversation, Raymond confirmed he was aware of the victim’s age and admitted to having sex with the victim on at least two occasions. Following this, detectives seized his vehicle and phone and obtained a DNA sample. The FCSO Crime Scene Investigations Unit conducted a forensic analysis of the vehicle, finding biological fluids on the backseat and on clothing items in the trunk, which were then submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further analysis.
At the conclusion of the investigation, detectives determined Raymond had engaged in unlawful sexual activity with a minor, leading them to obtain a warrant for his arrest on November 7 for two counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a minor. That evening, the Problem Area Crime Enforcement (PACE) Unit located and arrested Raymond at his residence.
He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and was later released on a $50,000 bond.
“This offender was fully aware this child he was having sex was just that — a child,” said Sheriff Rick Staly
Raymond’s arrest for the sexual battery charges was his third within two weeks.
On November 1, deputies had previously arrested Raymond on a Volusia County warrant stemming from a Volusia Sheriff’s Office investigation into a shooting in Ormond Beach, charging him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of shooting or throwing a deadly missile into a vehicle; he was released on a $55,000 bond.
He was arrested again just days later on a second Volusia County warrant for tampering with a witness. Following this last arrest, his bond was revoked, and he was turned over to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
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