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Tampa Man Had Long, Illegal Relationship With Minor, Police Say

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By MIKE WELLS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 5, 2008

Updated: 06/05/2008 03:18 pm

  Leonardo Cuellar

TAMPA - A 45-year-old Tampa man has been charged with having a five-year sexual relationship with a girl, starting when she was 13 years old, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives arrested Leonardo Cuellar about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at his home, 4729 Ridge Point Drive. He was charged with four second-degree felony counts, including lewd and lascivious battery and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

The victim, now 19, came to the sheriff's office about two months ago to report that she had been molested as a child, sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway said.

Cuellar met the girl when she was 12 years old, and he began having sex with her when she was 13, Callaway said. The activity continued until November, when she was 18.

"It was a classic pedophilia case," Callaway said. "He groomed her from an early age and basically convinced her that the relationship was proper and maintained it over the years."

The sexual encounters happened at various locations and were arranged by the pair using coded notes, Callaway said.

"They used an encrypted communication system with symbols like hieroglyphics that indicated locations, dates and times," he said.

Each had an encryption key in a notebook to help them decipher their messages, Callaway said.

Cuellar implicated himself during a telephone conversation with the victim that was monitored by detectives, officials said.

Cuellar was in Orient Road Jail this morning. Bail was set at $30,000.

Detectives think there might be other victims because of statements Cuellar made during interviews with detectives, Callaway said.

"He said that he did prefer young girls," Callaway said.

Anyone with information should call the sheriff's office at (813) 247-8200.

Reporter Mike Wells can be reached at (813) 259-7839 or mwells@tampatrib.com.

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