Three men arrested in North Port child sex offense investigation

NORTH PORT, Fla. (WWSB) - Three men were arrested in connection with offenses involving sexual activity with a child, North Port police said.

Police identified the suspects as Jayden Boothe, 19; Elijah Ballentine, 20; and Ryan Deluca, 19.

Detectives launched the investigation after receiving a tip that multiple juveniles were being victimized, according to the North Port Police Department. Police said investigators worked quickly to identify the suspects and take them into custody before the alleged behavior could continue.

Boothe was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the case, police said.

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During the investigation, Boothe was charged in an unrelated case with attempted felony murder, aggravated battery and leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries. Police said investigators also found illegal drugs while serving a search warrant at Boothe’s residence. Cash was seized.

“Cases involving the victimization of children are among the most disturbing we investigate,” Chief Todd Garrison said. “Our response is immediate and relentless. I am proud of the work our teams did to quickly identify these suspects and get them off the street.”

Police said the investigation involved the department’s Intelligence Unit, Real Time Crime Center, Criminal Investigations Division, Special Enforcement Team and SWAT Team, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

All three suspects were arrested and are being held at the Sarasota County Jail, police said.

Anyone with information related to the suspects is asked to call the North Port Police Department at 941-429-7300.