SARASOTA, FL (WWSB) - A 57-year-old Sarasota man was arrested on felony charges after he molested a 13-year-old child in 2016.
Detectives began their investigation in April when the child disclosed that she was sexually molested by Behzad Izadi during a Fourth of July party.
According to the victim, Izadi inappropriately touched her on two separate occasions at a condo Izadi was renting on Siesta Key. The victim also explained to detectives that Izadi gave alcohol and Xanax to several girls between the ages of 13 and 14 during the party.
As detectives conducted their investigation into the allegations, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested Izadi for similar crimes that occurred in Bradenton. Izadi was booked into the Manatee County jail on May 16 and released the next day.
On Sunday morning, detectives arrested Izadi and charged him with three counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and a single count of lewd or lascivious conduct. He remains in custody today on $600,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing and detectives have reason to believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information regarding Izadi or his actions is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Section at 941-861-4916.
