FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 The Flagler County Sheriff\u2019s Office arrested a Palm Coast man after detectives said a 17-month investigation found he sexually abused two young girls multiple times.<\/p>\n
Investigators identified the suspect as Joseph Spector, 38, of Palm Coast. He was arrested on Saturday after deputies and Major Case Unit detectives apprehended him at a restaurant in Bunnell, the sheriff\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n
How the investigation began<\/p>\n
The case started in February 2025, when the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) received a report alleging Spector inappropriately touched a minor, according to FCSO.<\/p>\n
A DCF investigator then contacted an FCSO school resource deputy to assist with an interview at the victim\u2019s school.<\/p>\n
What detectives say victims reported<\/p>\n
During the initial interview, the victim reported Spector inappropriately touched her breast during an incident in 2022, authorities said.<\/p>\n
In a later interview with the First Coast Child Protection Team, the victim said Spector:<\/p>\n
showed her pornographic material<\/p>\n
provided her alcohol<\/p>\n
engaged in frequent \u201ccuddling sessions\u201d multiple times a week, during which she said he sexually abused her<\/p>\n
also abused her sister in a similar manner<\/p>\n
The second victim confirmed the \u201ccuddling sessions\u201d occurred with her as well, and reported an incident where Spector masturbated next to her, the sheriff\u2019s office said.<\/p>\n
Covert operation and interview<\/p>\n
In April 2025, the sheriff\u2019s office said the Major Case Unit conducted a covert operation in which Spector stated that while he may not remember everything that occurred, \u201che was sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Detectives interviewed Spector back in April, and said he denied the allegations. When confronted with statements from the covert operation, Spector said he did not recall making them, adding: \u201cI don\u2019t remember, and if it happened, I was drunk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charges and bond<\/p>\n
Spector was arrested and now faces two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation.<\/p>\n
He was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and held on a $150,000 bond, according to FCSO.<\/p>\n
Sheriff\u2019s message, reporting resources<\/p>\n
Following Spector\u2019s arrest, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly issued the following statement:<\/p>\n
\u201cI commend those two brave victims, as this investigation never would have happened without their courage to speak up and come forward with what this pervert did to them. <\/p>\n
From there, this case showed excellent teamwork between our Major Case Unit, the school resource deputy who took the initial report, deputies who assisted in the apprehension, and our partners at the Florida Department of Children and Families during the entire investigation to put this pervert behind bars and held accountable.<\/p>\n
I hope he goes to prison for a long time.”<\/p>\n
Anyone who is a victim of child sexual abuse, or knows someone in Flagler County who is, is urged to report it to FCSO at 386-313-4911 or to the DCF Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873, or online at reportabuse.myflfamilies.com.<\/p>\n
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