A Marion County man was arrested July 28 on more than a dozen felony charges after investigators say he groomed a 15-year-old, sent sexually explicit photos, and solicited her for sex acts through mobile apps over a 10-day span in July.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office charged 56-year-old Roberto Stracuzzi with 14 counts, including lewd or lascivious exhibition over computer service, possession of child pornography, use of a child in a sexual performance, and soliciting a minor for unlawful sexual conduct using electronic devices.
According to the arrest affidavit, the child disclosed the abuse to her mother, prompting a forensic interview at Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection. Detectives say the girl described meeting Stracuzzi at a neighborhood pool, where she first connected with his daughter and later exchanged Snapchat information with Stracuzzi himself—saved under the username “Pookie Bear.”
The girl told investigators the conversations quickly escalated into sexually explicit messages, including comments about her body, inappropriate questions about her “cup size,” and requests for nude images. She admitted to sending Stracuzzi photos of her exposed breasts and genitals, which he allegedly saved in a hidden photo folder on his iPhone.
The girl also stated Stracuzzi provided her with a sex toy he claimed belonged to his ex-wife. According to the report, the item was left in a plastic bag behind his home. The child retrieved the device and later used it during sexually explicit video chats with Stracuzzi, during which both reportedly masturbated over FaceTime.
Text messages reviewed by investigators show Stracuzzi allegedly encouraged the victim to sneak out of her home late at night for oral sex. Most of the exchanges outlined in arrest documents were deemed too graphic to publish.
When arrested, Stracuzzi reportedly confessed to many of the allegations, including receiving and saving nude images of the child, sending her explicit photos, and providing the sex toy. He referred to himself as a “dirty old man” and told detectives the situation would be the “end of his life.”
Stracuzzi was booked into the Marion County Jail without incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
