Who: 
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Patrol Central District
 
Richard Louis Cintron (Arrested)
DOB: 06/30/1974
Address: 2500 54^th Avenue N, Lot #304, St. Petersburg
Charges: Traveling to Meet a Minor For the Purpose of Engaging in Sexual Activity, Violation of Probation (Possession of a Device with Utilization of Internet Access)

The victim is a 16 year-old girl who is known to the suspect. Per Florida Statute 119.071, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Patrol deputies arrested a registered sexual offender after he initiated communication on the internet with a 16-year-old girl and met with the child for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.     

When:
The suspect was arrested at 11:36 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2015.

Where: 
The suspect was arrested at 2600 Grove Park Avenue N, in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

Why/How:
Patrol deputies arrested a registered sexual offender after he initiated communication on the internet with a 16-year-old girl and met with the child for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

Deputies were dispatched to a location in unincorporated St. Petersburg, regarding reports that a registered sexual offender was meeting with a child there. When deputies arrived, they made contact with the suspect, 41-year-old Richard Cintron who was in the presence of a 16-year-old girl. 

Through interviews and various investigative techniques, deputies were able to determine that Cintron had utilized an internet social media network to contact the child who he knew was 16-years of age.

Deputies say that over a two week period, Cintron initiated conversation with the child that was sexual in nature and he seduced the child into meeting him for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

Cintron was already on probation and was designated as registered Sexual Offender.   

Cintron was arrested and charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor for the Purpose of Engaging in Sexual Activity and Violation of Probation (Possession of a Device with Utilization of Internet Access).

Cintron was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

The investigation continues.

Richard Cintron booking photo.