Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Patrol North District

Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Shannon Lee Giddens (Arrested Suspect)
DOB: 08/12/1977
Address: 411 Dempsey Rd, Palm Harbor
Charges: Two counts of Sexual Battery.

The victim is a 12 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:
Pinellas deputies have arrested a Palm Harbor man after he committed a sexual battery on a 12-year-old girl.

When:
The crime occurred on September 13, 2015.

Where:
The crime occurred at a private residence in Pinellas County.

Why/How:
According to deputies, the victim was in the care of the suspect identified as 38-year-old Shannon Giddens when he engaged her in sexual activity.

The victim disclosed the incident to a friend, who in turn reported it to the Sheriff's Office on September 13, 2015.

Through various investigative techniques, deputies were able to determine that the incident did in fact take place.

Giddens was arrested at approximately 8:30 p.m. on September 13, 2015 following an interview at the Sheriff's North District Station located at 737 Louden Avenue.

The suspect admitted to the crime.

He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without further incident.

The investigation continues.

Booking photo of Shannon Giddens.