A 21-year-old Sebastian man was arrested early Sunday morning after an alleged sexual battery of a 14-year-old girl at Periwinkle Park in Sebastian.
According to the Sebastian Police Department, officers on patrol discovered a suspicious vehicle, a red Toyota Corolla, parked in the park around 4:08 a.m. The vehicle was occupied by Michael Ayala and an alleged female victim.
The police separated the two individuals as the young girl informed officers that Ayala had touched her inappropriately. Due to the victim’s age and the nature of the allegations, a detective was called to the scene.
During the initial investigation, the minor, who initially claimed to be 17, provided a false date of birth. Ayala told officers he believed she was 18. However, she later admitted to being 14, born in 2010. They had reportedly met on a dating app approximately two weeks prior and had been communicating via text.
The girl told investigators that Ayala picked her up around 2:00 a.m. and drove to the park. While kissing in the backseat, he touched her through her clothing despite her repeatedly saying no, she said. She further alleged that he continued even after she expressed fear.
Ayala admitted to kissing the girl and claimed he asked for consent, which she allegedly gave. He had asked her multiple times via text if she was 18.
Both Ayala and the teenager were transported to the Sebastian Police Department. Detectives contacted the Child Protective Team and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) due to the girl’s age. The teenager requested a sexual assault examination and agreed to an interview. DCF took custody of the girl as her current guardian.
The suspect was interviewed at the police department, where he reiterated his previous statements. He claimed he believed she was 18 due to her dating profile and that she consented to the sexual contact.
Ayala is charged with lewd or lascivious battery, a second-degree felony in Florida. He was booked into the Indian River County Jail and is being held on a $100,000 bond.
