Lakeland, Fla.-(Newsradio 970 WFLA)-Polk County deputies have arrested 65-year-old Ezra Raulerson, Sr., of Lakeland, for 65 counts of lewd molestation of victims Under the age of 12.
The following are excerpts from the affidavit released by the Polk County Sheriff's Office..
A woman contacted the Polk County Sheriff's Office to report that Ezra Raulerson had touched three juvenile girls that he had access to, between the ages of 9 and 14 years old, in an inappropriate and sexual manner.
During forensic interviews with the victims, all three reported Raulerson touched them in private places. During an interview with Raulerson, he admitted that he touched and rubbed one victim under her clothing with his hand when she was approximately 10-11 years of age. Raulerson admitted to touching the girl approximately 30 times.
Raulerson admitted to touching another victim with his hand when she was just 10 years of age. Raulerson told detectives that he touched her at least 15 times.
Raulerson also said he touched yet another victim with his hand when she was 9 years of age. The man admitted to fondling the girl approximately 20 times.
"Ezra Raulerson's conduct is the worst of the worst. He violated innocent children who depend on adults for their safe care. It sickens us to know that three innocent and precious children were taken advantage of by someone they trusted. He belongs behind bars for the rest of his life." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.
Photo courtesy Polk County Sheriff's Office