TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A Tallahassee man who twice-escaped charges from DCF sex abuse investigations has been arrested after police say he used blackmail to sexually assault a 14-year-old victim in his care for years.
Jason Bembry, 38, was arrested Monday after a 14-year-old victim disclosed to Tallahassee Police officers that he had been sexually assaulting the victim since 5th grade.
According to court documents, the victim said that the assaults happened at their shared home in Tallahassee. Prior to the sexual battery, the victim said Bembry would touch the victim in a sexual manner. During an interview, the victim described different instances of sexual battery by Bembry.
The victim told investigators that Bembry would message her, "Pull Up," as a sign that the victim should come into his bedroom. Investigators say the victim couldn't recall specifics on the first time the battery occurred, but stated that the first instance happened while the victim was in 5th grade.
Documents say Bembry blackmailed the victim by threatening to tell the victim's mother about messages on social media.
Investigators note that in 2010, Bembry had been the "alleged perpetrator" in at least two Department of Children and Families Cases in Dade/Broward County. In those cases, Bembry had been accused of having sex with a 9-year-old child and a 12-year-old child, though the accusations were declared "unsubstantiated."
Based on the evidence, Bembry has been charged with one count of capital sexual battery, and two counts of lewd or lascivious battery. He is being held in jail on no bond.
