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

Zarif Mingo (Arrested)
DOB: 07/14/2000
3505 18^th Avenue South, St. Petersburg
Charges: One count of Sexual Battery

The victim is currently 14-years-old. Per Florida Statute 119.071(2)(h)1 no further details will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a 16-year-old St. Petersburg boy for sexual battery on a 14-year-old girl at a school in St. Petersburg.

When:
The incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2016.

The suspect was arrested on Monday, December 12, 2016.

Where:
The incident occurred at Lealman Innovation Academy located at 4900 28^th Street North, in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

The suspect was arrested at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a 16-year-old St. Petersburg boy for sexual battery on a 14-year-old girl, at a school in St. Petersburg.

According to detectives, their investigation began on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, after the 14-year-old female victim reported the incident to friends at the school.

Detectives say at about 11:30 a.m. on December 7, 2016, school was in session when the victim encountered the suspect, 16-year-old Zarif Mingo, in the hallway of the Lealman Innovation Academy. Mingo, a fellow student, asked the victim to go into an unoccupied classroom with him and she refused. Mingo used physical force to pull the victim into the empty classroom against her will, where he sexually battered her.

On December 12, 2016, Mingo was interviewed by detectives at the Sheriff’s Administration Building where he was arrested without incident.

Mingo was charged with one count of Sexual Battery and he was transported to the Pinellas Juvenile Assessment Center.

The investigation continues. 

Booking photo of Zarif Mingo.