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

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Juan Paulino-Cantero
DOB: 06/12/1981
Charges: One count Sexual Battery, one count Lewd or Lascivious Molestation

The victim, who was a 13-year-old minor at the time of the incident, is known to the suspect. Per Florida Statute 119.071(2)(h)1 no further details will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Detectives have arrested a man for sexual battery and lewd or lascivious molestation against a minor female victim.

When:
The incident occurred sometime in mid-November 2015.

The suspect was arrested in Mexico on March, 16, 2017 and extradited to Pinellas County on December 1, 2017.

Where:
The crime occurred at a residence in Clearwater.

Why/How:
Detectives have arrested a man for sexual battery and lewd or lascivious molestation against a minor female victim.

According to detectives, the investigation began on December 16, 2015, after the then 13-year old female victim informed an adult of inappropriate sexual activity that had occurred. Detectives say sometime in mid-November 2015, 36-year-old Juan Paulino-Cantero had inappropriate sexual activity with the female victim. Paulino-Cantero then gave the victim money and told her to not tell anyone about the incident.

Detectives reported that Paulino-Cantero is known to the victim.

Detectives were able to confirm the victim’s allegations.

While conducting the investigation, detectives learned that Paulino-Cantero had fled to Mexico. Detectives contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and with their assistance, Paulino-Cantero was arrested in Mexico on March 16, 2017 and extradited from Mexico to Pinellas County on December 1, 2017.

At about 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2017, detectives attempted to interview Paulino-Cantero at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Paulino-Cantero declined to speak with detectives.

Paulino-Cantero was arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Paulino-Cantero was charged with one count of Sexual Battery and one count Lewd or Lascivious Molestation.

The investigation continues.

A booking photo was not available at the time of this news release.