Man, 29, charged with rape of disabled Palm Coast juvenile

Palm Coast Observer
News

A 29-year-old man has been arrested in South Florida and charged with the sexual battery of a physically disabled Palm Coast juvenile.

The juvenile reported the crime to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 30 and advised that the the perpetrator, Jonathan Xavier Santiago, does not live in the area and therefore was staying at the teenage victim’s Palm Coast residence along with multiple other family members while visiting.

The victim told deputies that a sexual battery occurred while Santiago was staying at the residence.

Detective LaVerne of the Major Case Unit was assigned to investigate the case. Through investigative techniques, admissions of guilt were obtained from Santiago.

“This brave victim came forward and reported what happened, and if not for that we would not have been able to help,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “It took a lot of courage to do that and I commend them for seeking help. I also want to thank the Miami Gardens Police Department for their assistance with this case and in the capture of this fugitive. Let this be a warning to criminals, it doesn’t matter if you flee to the next city, across the state, or across the country, we will come and find you and arrest you. Justice has no boundaries!”

On July 22, contact was made with the Miami Gardens Police Department’s Crisis Response Team, which responded to Santiago’s residence to attempt to serve the arrest warrant. During the service attempt, Santiago’s aunt provided the officer’s with false information that the suspect was not home.

After police conducted surveillance at the residence for approximately 30 minutes, Santiago was seen exiting the residence and attempting to flee the area. The Miami Gardens Police Department’s CRT Team arrested Santiago.

Santiago was subsequently charged with Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors and an arrest warrant with a bond of $50,000 was issued by the Honorable Judge Perkins with nationwide extradition.

At this time, Santiago has not posted bond and is still in custody in Miami-Dade County.