Man arrested for sexual battery

A 40-year-old Key Largo man was arrested Wednesday after a teenage girl recently told detectives that he had been sexually assaulting her since she was a very young child.

Anthony Bryan Keller was charged with sexual assault by a person older than 18/victim under the age of 12.

The case began on April 17 when the Sheriff’s Office was notified.  Deputy Ignacio Molina responded to the Key Largo residence whereupon the now teenage girl told him that Keller has been sexually abusing her since she was approximately 7-years-old. The criminal acts were committed in multiple cities in Florida and another state prior to the victim moving to Key Largo.

The sexual battery continued until a few weeks prior to the victim contacting the Sheriff’s Office.

The victim stated she has often refused to have sex with Keller through the years, but he was manipulative. The crimes included instances of oral, vaginal and anal sexual assault by Keller. The sexual assaults occurred often multiple times a day, sometimes as often as three or four times a day. The victim stated that once she reached puberty, Keller provided her with pills that she understood would curb pregnancy. The victim also stated that Keller told her in one instance when she was very young that the sexual assaults would likely land him in jail, but he added that he “didn’t care.”

Major Crimes Unit Detective Sgt. Barney Sajdak and Josh Brady were assigned to investigate further as were Florida Department of Children and Families agents.

A controlled phone call was set up between the victim and Keller on April 29 whereupon the victim stated to Keller that she no longer wanted to have sex with him. The victim stated it was becoming impossible for her to hide Keller’s criminal actions. Keller was heard by the Detectives in the controlled phone call telling the victim that they could wait until she was 18 and resume. Keller could be heard on the controlled phone call pleading with the victim to allow him to sexually assault her a few more times before he ceases his criminal actions.

Detective Sgt. Sajdak filed for a warrant for Keller’s arrest after that controlled phone call.

Keller was booked into jail Wednesday afternoon where he remains on $1 million bail.

Law enforcement agencies located in the previous cities where the victim lived are being contacted in order to determine if Keller will also face charges in those areas.

“I was terribly saddened, angered and disgusted when I learned the facts of this case,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “I am thankful and buoyed by the strength and the resolve of this young victim who came forward. The Sheriff’s Office and our partners with the Department of Children and Families as well as the State Attorney’s Office are doing everything in our power to ensure that justice is served in this despicable case.”

 

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