A high school athletics director has been arrested, accused of sexual battery and attempted sexual battery on two young girls.
On Thursday, police arrested Winter Haven High School Athletics Director, 51-year-old Steven L. Beasley, of the 1200 block of Cypress Point East, in Winter Haven.
Investigators said, late last month, Beasley attended a non-school related event on Lake Howard and was acquainted with both victims.
The community event involved numerous boats anchored in the water directly behind Old Man Frank’s and Beasley was in the water when he approached both girls.
Beasley struck up a conversation with the first victim who was in waist-deep water and quickly began “hugging” the girl against her will. According to investigators, Beasley then put his hand down the girl’s bathing suit bottom, even though she told him to stop. The girl told police, Beasley kept telling her, “It’s okay.” She was able to push Beasley away and swam towards friends.
The second girl was also in the water, but deeper, floating with a life vest when Beasley approached her, according to the arrest report. The girl told Beasley she was unable to locate the boat she came on and asked for his assistance in finding her friends. While providing assistance, the girl told police that Beasley put his hand down her swimsuit bottom and sexually assaulted her. The girl was eventually able to swim away.
Witnesses told police they weren’t able to see the sexual battery and attempted sexual battery as both incidents occurred under water. But they did confirm that they saw Beasley with both girls in the water.
Today, a warrant was obtained for Beasley’s arrested and he was taken into custody at Winter Haven High School.
Beasley was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with two counts – sexual battery and attempted sexual battery.
