Current:Home > reviewsFlorida woman charged with sex crimes after posing as student on Snapchat: Tampa Police -Blueprint Money Mastery
Florida woman charged with sex crimes after posing as student on Snapchat: Tampa Police
View
Date:2025-04-11 20:44:04
A Florida woman faces several sex crime charges after police say she started a relationship with a minor after posing as a student online.
The Tampa Police Department announced in a Friday press release that Alyssa Zinger, 22, was arrested on Nov. 24 following an investigation into a relationship with a boy between 12 and 15 years old.
Police believe there could be other victims.
“It is disturbing and unsettling to see an adult take advantage of a child and prey on them,” said Tampa police chief Lee Bercaw. “Anyone who may have been a victim of Zinger’s, we encourage you to come forward."
Zinger has been charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery (engage) and five counts of lewd, lascivious molestation of a victim aged 12-15 by a defendant older than 18. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is out on bail. Zinger's attorney did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's emailed request for comment Monday morning.
Police say Zinger posed as a homeschooled student online
Tampa Police say Zinger pretended to be a homeschooled student online and primarily communicated with the minor boy through social media, according to the release.
A search warrant obtained by the Tampa Bay Times said that Zinger contacted the child over Snapchat and had a sexual relationship with him. She also pretended to be 14 years old, according to another incident described in the warrant.
The victim told police during the investigation they engaged in a sexual relationship between late May and mid-September, according to the Times. The victim said he received sexually explicit photos and videos during that time, the Times reported.
Anyone with information is asked to call Tampa Police at 813-231-6130.
Other Florida news:Florida police officer charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment of tourist
veryGood! (1)
Related
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Biden announces 5 federal judicial nominees and stresses their varied professional backgrounds
- A suspect in the 1994 Rwanda genocide goes on trial in Paris after a decadeslong investigation
- 'King of scratchers' wins $5 million California Lottery prize sticking to superstition
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- European Commission lowers growth outlook and says economy has lost momentum during a difficult year
- Lebanon releases man suspected of killing Irish UN peacekeeper on bail
- Russian woman goes on trial in a cafe bombing that killed a prominent military blogger
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Ex-comptroller sentenced to 2 years in prison for stealing from Arizona tribe
Ranking
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Biden, Xi meeting is aimed at getting relationship back on better footing, but tough issues loom
- Mac Royals makes Gwen Stefani blush on 'The Voice' with flirty performance: 'Oh my God'
- Stream these 15 new movies this holiday season, from 'Candy Cane Lane' to 'Rebel Moon'
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- 2 women accused of helping Georgia inmate who escaped jail last month
- Prosecutors say a fatal roller coaster accident in Sweden was caused by a support arm breaking
- Dutch court orders company to compensate 5 Iranian victims of Iraqi mustard gas attacks in the 1980s
Recommendation
Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
The gift Daniel Radcliffe's 'Harry Potter' stunt double David Holmes finds in paralysis
No Bazinga! CBS sitcom 'Young Sheldon' to end comedic run after seven seasons
Germany’s opposition Left Party to dissolve caucus after prominent member launches rival venture
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Many parents don’t know when kids are behind in school. Are report cards telling enough?
Venezuelan arrivals along U.S. southern border drop after Biden starts deportations
Texans LB Denzel Perryman suspended three games after hit on Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase