A Bonita Springs man is in jail tonight facing serious sex charges, including Capital Sexual Battery. Joshua McCartney, DOB 11-22-83, of 26652 Stardust Drive, Bonita Springs, is being held in the Lee County Jail without bond.
The victim, who now lives out of state, recently confided to her mother that five to eight years ago she had been inappropriately touched by Joshua McCartney, who was a family friend and babysitter while they were living in Bonita Springs. A criminal complaint was filed with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Due to the nature of the case, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit assumed the investigation.
The victim told detectives the first incident occurred in her room. She says McCartney was watching a pornographic movie and forced her to perform oral sex on him. In a separate incident, the victim says McCartney had her take off her clothes so he could take photographs of her buttocks. On a third occasion, the victim says she was sitting on the toilet when McCartney exposed himself and masturbated in front of her.
Detectives located the suspect. During an interview with McCartney, detectives were able to corroborate what the victim had told them and develop evidence that McCartney was responsible for several sex crimes. McCartney was arrested and charged with Capital Sexual Battery (victim under 12 years of age); Lewd or Lascivious Molestation and Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition.
