HOMESTEAD, FLA. (WSVN) - A Florida corrections officer is behind bars after, Homestead police said, he enticed a 15-year-old girl to have sex with him.
According to Homestead Police, 35-year-old state corrections officer Detrick Lamar Hussey met the teenage victim last Friday at a Florida City store. Hussey and the victim kept in touch over text messages and agreed to meet.
The arrest report states Hussey took the girl to dinner at Applebee’s near Southland Mall, then to Fat Tuesday in Coconut Grove, where the two consumed alcoholic beverages.
Hussey then brought the girl back to his residence in Homestead, where Hussey allegedly performed lewd and lascivious acts twice on the victim. “It’s sad that these older guys taking advantage of these young females,” said the victim’s father.
A friend of the victim’s mother saw the girl at the bar and notified her mother. Homestead Police had been looking for the 15-year-old victim, who was previously reported missing. They found her, and she was taken to a rape treatment center the next day, with her clothing impounded for possible forensic evidence.
Homestead Police then arrested Hussey on charges of lewd and lascivious battery on a child 12 to 16 years of age.
“She is a minor. She is under the age of 17,” Homestead Police Detective Fernando Morales said. “Although it might have been consensual, it is still against the law.”
The victim’s father said he is heartbroken.
“This is sad that this is an officer of the law that is taking advantage of young teenagers,” he said. “My daughter is only 15, and this gentleman is 35 years old, and it breaks my heart, and I just want some justice done, and I hope I get it.”
“I believe he drove a Chevy Camaro, which caught her attention,” he said. “She’s devastated. She’s embarrassed. She’s hurt because she hurt her family.”
Police are also investigating how the girl managed to order drinks at the bar.
Hussey has been released on a $7,500 bond.
State officials told 7News they are moving forward with dismissing Hussey.
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