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Seminole man charged with sexually battering child

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TBO.com

Published: October 29, 2009

Michael Charniak

A 45-year-old Seminole man's online claims that he was sexually abusing children ultimately led to his arrest on a charge of sexual battery on a child, Pinellas County deputies say.

The investigation began with a tip to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Tampa office that Michael Joseph Charniak said online that he was sexually abusing children.

Investigators were called to help with a federal search warrant that was served at Charniak's home Wednesday.

Agents seized computers from Charniak's home and are analyzing the information.

While serving the search warrant, Pinellas detectives identified a child they believe might have been sexually assaulted by Charniak. They met with the child at another location and confirmed abuse had occurred, deputies say.

Charniak was arrested Wednesday. He remains in the Pinellas County Jail.

"Charniak told detectives he is a coach for the Osceola Youth Soccer Association Club and Recreational Soccer," a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office news release states. "However, he did not get access to the victim through coaching soccer."

Those with more information about Charniak can call Detective Kurt Romanosky at (727) 582-6418.

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