02 December 2023 , 21:18
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A 22-year-old woman has been accused of posing as a 14-year-old and molesting minors after contacting them over Snapchat.
Alyssa Ann Zinger from Tampa, Florida, was arrested by local police on November 24 on two counts of lewd and lascivious battery, and five counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim who was 12 to 15 years old.
According to court records she has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a child. She is accused of posing as a homeschooled student.
The legal documents says she has waived her right to an arraignment and has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She paid a $7,500 bond on each charge faced and so has been released from jail, reports the Tampa Bay Times.
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Zinger used Snapchat to contact her victims (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)During the extensive investigation one person told police that Zinger had sent a sexual video to several children through Snapchat. The victims reported that they thought Zinger was around their age and homeschooled, the search warrant states.
Although the legal document doesn't identify any of the victims, Tampa police said on Friday that Zinger had had an inappropriate relationship with a boy between the ages of 12 and 15. The warrant states that Zinger met the victim at the end of May on social media where they continued to communicate throughout their relationship.
She continued to contact her victims on social media (AFP via Getty Images)A victim told police the two had a sexual relationship that began in May and continued through to mid-September. The warrant claims that they met up several times and that Zinger sent sexually explicit material.
“It is disturbing and unsettling to see an adult take advantage of a child and prey on them,” Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement.
“Anyone who may have been a victim of Zinger’s, we encourage you to come forward. The Tampa Police Department will support you and ensure a predator like Zinger doesn’t cause you or others additional harm.”
She also allegedly told the victim she had done sexual activities with other minors. In July Zinger and the victim were caught shoplifting. Zinger identified herself to police but said she was born in 2009. Although police couldn't find information with the date she provided they did find an Alyssa Ann Zinger born in 2001. The search warrant claims Zinger told the officer she had a half-sister with the same name. The officer requested further records from the government, school and local employment archives.
According to the court docs, employers at a Tampa Publix confirmed she had worked there and she was an adult. Tampa police said they believe there are more victims.
Anyone with information is urged to come forward and can call police at 813-231-6130.