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

Clearwater Police Department

Palmetto Police Department

Luis Salitre-Hernandez (Arrested- In-custody at Manatee County Jail)
DOB: 08/13/1996
Address: 115 110^th Street West, Lot #38, Palmetto, Florida
Charges: Three counts of Capital Sexual Battery and two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation with Victim Under 12.  

The female victim was between the ages of five and ten years-old at the time of the incidents. Per Florida Statute 119.071, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Pinellas detectives have charged a Palmetto man with three counts of Capital Sexual Battery and two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation with Victim Under 12.

When:
The crimes occurred between August 2012 and January 2018.

The warrant was served at approximately 11:30 a.m. on October 24, 2018 at the Manatee County Jail, where Salitre-Hernandez is currently in custody on a separate charge of Sexual Battery with the same female victim.

Where:
The crimes occurred at three locations throughout Pinellas County.

Why/How:
Pinellas detectives have charged a Palmetto man with three counts of Capital Sexual Battery and two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation with Victim Under 12.

Detectives began their investigation on October 5, 2018, after receiving information from Clearwater Police Department regarding an ongoing sexual battery occurring within our jurisdiction.

According to detectives, 22-year-old Luis Salitre-Hernandez engaged in inappropriate sexual activity with the victim at three locations throughout Pinellas County and one location in Manatee County. The inappropriate activity occurred between August 2012 and January 2018. Detectives from the Palmetto Police Department were notified of the alleged offense occurring within their jurisdiction.

On October 11, 2018, the Palmetto Police Department arrested Salitre-Hernandez on one count of Sexual Battery. Salitre-Hernanez admitted to all allegations occurring within Pinellas County and Manatee County during his interview with the Palmetto Police Department.

On October 19, 2018, Pinellas detectives interviewed Salitre-Hernandez at the Manatee County Jail, located at 14470 Harlee Road, in Palmetto, where Salitre-Hernandez advised he had “confessed” to the Palmetto Police Department detectives and apologized for his actions.

Pinellas detectives presented the case to the Pinellas/Pasco State Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued for three counts of Capital Sexual Battery and two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation with Victim Under 12. 

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office served the warrant for Salitre-Hernandez at the Manatee County Jail on October 24, 2018 at approximately 11:30 a.m. and he will later be transferred to the Pinellas County Jail for his charges.

The investigation continues.

booking photo from Manatee County Jail