PALM COAST, FL — A 20-year-old Palm Coast man is facing serious criminal charges after a monthslong investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) revealed he had been engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor. The arrest of Brandon Raymond, 20, marks the culmination of a coordinated effort by multiple FCSO units and underscores the critical role of parental vigilance in protecting children from exploitation.
Discovery and Initial Response
The investigation began on September 16, when a concerned parent contacted the FCSO to report suspicions that her teenage child had been involved in a sexual relationship with an adult male known only as “Brandon.” Deputies, accompanied by a mental health specialist from the Behavioral Response Unit, responded to the Palm Coast residence to begin their inquiry.
At the parent’s request, the victim’s cellphone and iPad were turned over to the FCSO’s Digital Forensics Unit for analysis. The devices were subjected to a forensic review, which uncovered sexually explicit messages exchanged between the victim and the suspect via text, Snapchat, and Instagram. These messages referenced prior sexual encounters, prompting the Major Case Unit to escalate the investigation.
Forensic Evidence and Victim Interview
On October 1, the Florida Department of Health’s Child Protection Team conducted a formal interview with the victim. The interview corroborated the digital evidence, confirming that the relationship had lasted approximately three months and that the suspect, now identified as Brandon Raymond, was aware the victim was a minor. The victim disclosed that they had engaged in sexual activity on multiple occasions, including inside Raymond’s vehicle.
Detectives secured warrants on October 8 to search Raymond’s vehicle, collect a DNA sample, and seize his cellphone. Two days later, they located Raymond in a grocery store parking lot in Flagler Beach. During questioning, Raymond admitted to knowing the victim’s age and confirmed that they had engaged in sexual activity at least twice. His vehicle and phone were seized, and a DNA sample was collected.
The Crime Scene Investigations Unit conducted a forensic analysis of Raymond’s vehicle, discovering biological fluids on the backseat and several items of clothing in the trunk. The evidence was submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further testing.
Arrest and Charges
Following the comprehensive investigation, detectives concluded that Raymond had unlawfully engaged in sexual activity with a minor. On November 7, a warrant was issued for his arrest on two counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a minor. That evening, the Problem Area Crime Enforcement (PACE) Unit apprehended Raymond at his residence. He was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later released on a $50,000 bond.
Sheriff Rick Staly praised the swift action of the victim’s parent and the collaborative efforts of FCSO personnel.
“This offender was fully aware this child he was having sex with was just that — a child,” said Sheriff Staly. “Fortunately, the child’s parent understood how serious the situation was and contacted law enforcement. I commend the parent for being the Sheriff in their home, as well as the dedicated team members from our patrol, Major Case, Digital Forensics, CSI, Behavioral Response, and PACE units who worked hard to make this case and arrest him. Now, he can face justice for taking advantage of a young child.”
Additional Arrests in Volusia County
Raymond’s arrest in Flagler County was his third in just two weeks. On November 1, he was arrested on a Volusia County warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of shooting or throwing a deadly missile into a vehicle, stemming from a separate investigation into a shooting incident in Ormond Beach. He was released on a $55,000 bond.
Then, on November 5, Raymond was arrested again on a Volusia County warrant for tampering with a witness. He was returned to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where his bond was initially set at $50,000 but later revoked. He has since been transferred to the custody of the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
Community Impact
The case has sent shockwaves through the Palm Coast community, highlighting the dangers of online communication between minors and adults and the importance of parental oversight. The FCSO continues to urge parents to monitor their children’s digital activity and report any suspicious behavior.
As the legal process unfolds, Raymond will face multiple charges across two counties. His case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of exploiting minors and the vigilance required to protect them.
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