19-year-old arrested for sexual activity with a 15-year-old

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kyler Edward Bryant, 19, was arrested early this morning and charged with lewd or lascivious battery of a victim under the age of 16.

On February 28, the 15-year-old victim told the responding Gainesville Police Department officer that she had gone out with Bryant the previous night for the first time, and he took her to his apartment, where they were cuddling when Bryant allegedly penetrated her after saying he would not “put it in.” She said she told him to stop and he stopped, but they had sex again a few hours later.

Because Bryant’s apartment is outside the city limits of Gainesville, he was interviewed at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and post Miranda, he reportedly said he had added the victim on a social media platform a few months before they went out, and after his most recent dating relationship ended a few weeks ago, he started chatting with her. Bryant reportedly said the victim’s social media profile said she is in the “Class of 2027,” and he said this meant she was 17 or 18 years old; he later added that she told him she was 17, but the deputy noted that the victim was 15 at the time of the incident. Bryant said he picked her up at her home and took her to his apartment, where they only “snuggled.” However, Bryant reportedly changed his statement later and said he suggested that she change into some pajamas and later removed her clothing; he reportedly admitted that he had engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, and when he asked her if she wanted him to stop, she said yes, and he stopped. He reportedly said they had sex again a few hours later.

Under Florida statutes, any sexual activity between an adult and a person under 16 years old is considered to be lewd and lascivious battery. Any touching of “the breasts, genitals, genital area, or buttocks, or the clothing covering them” by an adult with a victim under 16 is considered to be lewd and lascivious molestation.

Bryant has been charged with lewd or lascivious battery of a victim under the age of 16. He has no local criminal history, and Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.