VERO BEACH – A 71-year-old man has been charged with Capital Sexual Battery on a Child, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
In January 2019, a 13-year-old disclosed that they had been molested by George Bollis of Vero Beach. This information was relayed to Detective Kelsey Zorc from law enforcement outside of Florida.
Detective Zorc began her investigation, which led her to seek a search warrant for the Bollis home located in the 1800 block of 10th Place. An additional search warrant was obtained for Bollis’ office, located at 1945 20th Avenue.
The 13-year-old victim alleged Bollis had taken inappropriate photographs and sexually molested them for years beginning when the victim was 9 years old. A search of the home yielded hundreds of thousands of digital photographs, which were reviewed by detectives. The victim also alleged that they had been sexually molested at Bollis’ office. A second victim has been identified as part of the investigation.
Earlier this week, the Honorable Judge Nicole Menz signed a warrant charging Bollis with capital sexual battery and two counts of sexual battery in a familial or custodial authority. Of the two counts of sexual battery, one is for a child under the age of 12, while the other is for a child over 12 but less than 16. Further charges are pending as the investigation continues.
“Today is a safer day in Indian River County. This man molested two young children in our county. Bollis is behind bars where he deserves to be and will face the justice system. We are proud of the victims for having the courage to come forward,” Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated.
Bollis is currently being held without bond at the Indian River County Jail and will face a first appearance hearing on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
