A 45-year-old man was arrested in Osceola County after he was accused of having sex with a minor that he met on the dating app Grindr.
According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation was launched in March of 2024 after allegations were made that a man, identified as Jose Arnaldo Alvarado, had committed sexual acts with a minor.
The sheriff’s office stated that Alvarado cooperated with detectives, and he allegedly confessed to having sex with a male that he met online through the Grindr app. He told detectives that he believed that the male was 18 years old when they had sex.
“As the investigation continued it became clear Mr. Alvarado knew or should have reasonably known the victim was not an adult,” stated OCSO in a social media post.
A cellphone belonging to Alvarado was searched by detectives, and child pornography was allegedly found on the device, according to the sheriff’s office.
OCSO stated that Alvarado was taken into custody following a traffic stop. During that traffic stop, a male passenger was in the vehicle, and Alvarado claimed that the passenger was “his nephew.”
Detectives determined that the passenger was a “juvenile” who was not related to Alvarado. The boy told detectives that he was in a “sexual relationship” with Alvarado, and he stated that he had sex with Alvarado on “at least two occasions,” according to the sheriff’s office.
The boy’s mother was questioned by detectives, and she allegedly stated that she “knew of the relationship” between her son and Alvarado. When detectives asked follow-up questions, she allegedly refused to cooperate with detectives.
“Investigative efforts are still underway, and [the boy’s mother] is being charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for having knowledge of and allowing her juvenile son to have a sexual relationship with an adult male over the age of 23,” stated OCSO.
On Wednesday, July 3, Alvarado was placed under arrest and transported to Osceola County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with lewd and lascivious battery (four counts) and possession of child pornography (one count).
If anyone has any information related to this case or any other similar incidents, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office asks that you call 407-348-2222.