A sexual predator was arrested on Friday, March 22, at the Ann Dever Regional Park swimming pool after his behavior drew complaints from concerned parents. Timothy Rice (DOB 10/30/77), a registered sexual predator, is charged with Loitering or Prowling by Certain Offenders in Close Proximity to Children, a first degree misdemeanor. Detectives believe he may have interacted with other children at this or other locations. Anyone with information can contact Detective Sadler at 941-258-3900 or john.sadler@ccso.org.
On Thursday, March 21, deputies responded to the Ann Dever Regional Park swimming pool at the request of the Aquatics Coordinator. An unknown parent reported to the Aquatics Coordinator that her daughter advised she was touched by a man at the pool on Wednesday, March 20. The parent advised the Aquatics Coordinator that she identified the man as Timothy Rice by his FDLE Sexual Offender flyer. None of the subjects involved were on scene at that time.
Detective Sadler, assigned to monitoring Sexual Offender/Predators in Charlotte County, took over the investigation due to the nature of the reported incident and possible offender’s status. Detective Sadler researched Timothy Rice and learned in 1998 he had been a lifeguard and martial arts instructor in St. Petersburg, Hillsborough County, Florida and was convicted with molesting several girls at an apartment complex pool.
Detective Sadler also notified the North Port Police Department and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office of the incident. While gathering intelligence he learned there were complaints in North Florida that Rice was “watching kids” at two different State Parks.
On March 22, Detective Sadler returned to the pool after he was advised deputies were with Timothy Rice at that location. The lifeguard on duty advised he has observed Rice come to the pool for approximately two weeks, bringing toys like squirt guns and only playing with the children. The lifeguard advised he was recently contacted by an unknown parent who advised that her juvenile daughter told her that Timothy Rice squeezed her butt and asked for a kiss.
While on scene, a deputy was advised by a parent that Timothy Rice had grabbed her juvenile daughter’s thigh while they were in the water.
Florida State Statute 856.011(3) states, “A person described in subsection (1) commits loitering and prowling by a person convicted of a sexual offense against a minor if, in committing loitering and prowling, he or she was within 300 feet of a place where children were congregating.”
Based on the totality of the circumstances, Detective Sadler determined that Timothy Rice was actively prowling for a child victim. Timothy Rice was arrested on scene and charged with Loitering or Prowling by Certain Offenders in Close Proximity to Children, a first degree misdemeanor.
Sexual Offenders can be searched by name or location on the FDLE website.
The search is also available through the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office mobile app.
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