GIFFORD — A Gifford man was arrested Thursday, accused of raping a now-13-year-old years ago, the Sheriff’s Office announced Friday.
The man, identified as Michael Stuckey, 54, of 4795 38th Circle, Vero Beach, was arrested after the Sheriff’s Office concluded a month-long investigation. That investigation was prompted by a 13-year-old child who told authorities the child was raped twice between the ages of 6 and 10.
Investigators developed probable cause against Stuckey and went to Judge Robert Pegg for an arrest warrant, which was approved, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Stuckey was taken into custody without incident and faces two counts of a felony charge of sexual battery of a child under 12 – perpetrator 18 or older.
“We take crimes against children very seriously and will do all we can to protect them from predators like Stuckey,” said Sheriff Deryl Loar in a prepared statement. “Detective Partee did an excellent job making this case so many years after the events.”
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone else who may have been a victim of Stuckey to come forward. If you or someone you know has had inappropriate contact with Stuckey please contact Detective Ross Partee at 772-978-6103 in reference to case number 2015-58626.
