A registered sexual predator, who allegedly failed to properly update required registration information in Volusia County, was arrested Oct. 6 at a DeLand elementary school while waiting to pick up his child, according to court records.
Volusia County Schools spokesman Mike Micallef said the arrest at Citrus Grove Elementary School did not disrupt school operations.
“There was never a threat to the school or a need for a lockdown or hold,” Micallef said in an email to The News-Journal.
According to Micallef, the school’s assistant principal recognized the man during parent pickup and contacted DeLand police. The suspect, who is a parent of a student, was arrested while sitting in a vehicle.
DeLand police determined the 50-year-old man had an active warrant charging him with failing to comply with sexual predator registration requirements in Volusia County.
The News-Journal is not identifying the suspect to protect the identity of the child involved.
Court records show the man was later released from the Volusia County Branch Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Vehicle allegedly omitted from registration
According to court records, the man was designated a sexual predator following a 1998 sexual battery conviction in Brevard County.
On Sept. 2, he registered with the Volusia Sheriff’s Office as a Volusia County resident, providing his DeLand address and other required information. Investigators said he did not report any vehicles during the registration process.
A sheriff’s detective later received an anonymous tip that multiple vehicles had been seen at the residence.
Over a five-day period, the detective conducted surveillance and observed a silver Lexus parked in the driveway. Court records state the vehicle appeared to be driven regularly based on changes in its position.
On Sept. 22, detectives visited the residence to ask about the vehicle. According to court documents, the man said the Lexus belonged to his brother, who lives in Fort Lauderdale but spends about half his time at the DeLand home.
The man told investigators the vehicle was operational and used by his brother, records state.
Investigators concluded the vehicle should have been reported as part of the man’s registration requirements and determined he was not in compliance with Florida’s sexual predator registration laws. A warrant for his arrest was issued Sept. 29, according to court records.
Arrest made DeLand elementary school pickup
Authorities located the man Oct. 6 at Citrus Grove Elementary during parent pickup.
School officials alerted police after identifying him on campus, and officers took him into custody without incident.
School district officials emphasized that the arrest did not pose a threat to students or staff and did not interfere with normal school operations.
― Patricio G. Balona is a crime and public safety reporter covering Volusia County and occasionally Flagler County. His coverage areas include Daytona Beach, DeLand, Ormond Beach and beyond.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Sexual predator arrested at DeLand elementary school, cops say
