Current:Home > NewsFlorida woman charged with sex crimes after posing as student on Snapchat: Tampa Police -AssetBase
Florida woman charged with sex crimes after posing as student on Snapchat: Tampa Police
View
Date:2025-04-26 10:42:56
A Florida woman faces several sex crime charges after police say she started a relationship with a minor after posing as a student online.
The Tampa Police Department announced in a Friday press release that Alyssa Zinger, 22, was arrested on Nov. 24 following an investigation into a relationship with a boy between 12 and 15 years old.
Police believe there could be other victims.
“It is disturbing and unsettling to see an adult take advantage of a child and prey on them,” said Tampa police chief Lee Bercaw. “Anyone who may have been a victim of Zinger’s, we encourage you to come forward."
Zinger has been charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery (engage) and five counts of lewd, lascivious molestation of a victim aged 12-15 by a defendant older than 18. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is out on bail. Zinger's attorney did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's emailed request for comment Monday morning.
Police say Zinger posed as a homeschooled student online
Tampa Police say Zinger pretended to be a homeschooled student online and primarily communicated with the minor boy through social media, according to the release.
A search warrant obtained by the Tampa Bay Times said that Zinger contacted the child over Snapchat and had a sexual relationship with him. She also pretended to be 14 years old, according to another incident described in the warrant.
The victim told police during the investigation they engaged in a sexual relationship between late May and mid-September, according to the Times. The victim said he received sexually explicit photos and videos during that time, the Times reported.
Anyone with information is asked to call Tampa Police at 813-231-6130.
Other Florida news:Florida police officer charged with sexual battery and false imprisonment of tourist
veryGood! (52)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Riley Strain's Mom Makes Tearful Plea After College Student's Tragic Death
- Women’s March Madness Sunday recap: No. 2 Stanford survives ISU in OT; No. 1 South Carolina rolls
- Justin Fields 'oozes talent,' but Russell Wilson in 'pole position' for Steelers QB job
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Golden Globes land 5-year deal to air on CBS, stream on Paramount+
- Must-Have Items from Amazon's Big Sale That Will Make It Look like a Professional Organized Your Closet
- Trump’s social media company to start trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Judge sets April 15 trial date in Trump hush money case, rejecting request for a delay
Ranking
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Upsets, Sweet 16 chalk and the ACC lead March Madness takeaways from men's NCAA Tournament
- Ukraine had no involvement in Russia concert hall attack that killed at least 133, U.S. says
- Golden Globes land 5-year deal to air on CBS, stream on Paramount+
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Louisiana man held in shooting death of Georgia man on Greyhound bus in Mississippi
- Duke dominates James Madison behind freshman Jared McCain and looks poised for March Madness run
- Shohei Ohtani to make first comments since illegal gambling, theft allegations against interpreter
Recommendation
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Sarah Ferguson Shares Admiration for Kate Middleton Amid Her Own Cancer Battle
Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos dies at 94
Shohei Ohtani to make first comments since illegal gambling, theft allegations against interpreter
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
Ohio man gets 2.5 years in prison for death threats made in 2022 to Arizona’s top election official
Trump’s social media company to start trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday
Elizabeth Berkley gets emotional at screening of cult classic 'Showgirls': 'Look at us now'