Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Crimes Against Children Unit
Patrol Operations Bureau

James Rodriguez (Arrested)
DOB: 06/08/1970
Address: 1623 S. Prescott Avenue, Clearwater

The victim is a 15-year-old female who is known to the suspect. No further details will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Deputies have arrested a suspect for sex battery on a minor.

When:
Deputies responded to the complaint at about 11:00 p.m. on April 3, 2015.

Where:
Deputies responded to a private residence located in unincorporated Clearwater.

Why/How:
According to investigators, the complainants contacted the Sheriff's Office to advise they had witnessed the suspect commit a sexual battery on the 15-year-old female victim.

When deputies arrived on scene, the suspect identified as 45-year-old James Rodriguez had fled the residence. Deputies say Rodriguez returned a short time  later and surrendered to deputies.

Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit were called to investigate.

Rodriguez was arrested for sexual battery and was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.

The investigation continues.