PORT CHARLOTTE — Authorities arrested a man on Tuesday for allegedly raping his 3-year-old daughter, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Stephen Francis Callaghan, 34, of the 12100 block of Alumna Ave., Port Charlotte, was charged with sexual battery on a victim under the age of 12 in connection with the incident.

According to a report, the victim informed her mother June 1 that her dad was “mean to her sometimes” when she went to visit him. Authorities interviewed the victim and her mother June 5, and the child clarified her statement by identifying the areas on her body where her father would sometimes touch her. The report states that detectives interviewed Callaghan on Tuesday, and he denied the allegations, saying it was all a misunderstanding.

Callaghan was arrested and transported to the Charlotte County Jail, where he was released on $50,000 bond. According to the report, Callaghan had been under investigation for a similar incident involving another juvenile. The charges were dropped, however, after insufficient evidence was found to support the claims, according to CCSO spokeswoman Debbie Bowe.

South Carolina man charged with sexual battery

PUNTA GORDA — Authorities charged a South Carolina man with sexual assault Tuesday after he allegedly raped a woman in her sleep in April, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Reginald Brent Atkins, 28, of Greer, S.C., was charged with sexual battery on a victim over the age of 12 in connection with the incident.

According to a report, the victim and Greer met online while playing computer games, sharing phone calls and Facebook messages over the course of three months. Greer came to visit the victim, flying into the Punta Gorda Airport on April 9, where the victim picked him up.

They went out for a night of drinking April 14, and the victim became highly intoxicated, the report states, getting sick on the way back to her home. She awoke early the next morning and felt as if she had had sex, even though she didn’t remember it. When she confronted Greer, he denied the allegation and left the home, taking a cab to a local hotel.

The victim drove herself to Sarasota Medical Center later that day, where she was examined and told authorities she wanted to press charges against Atkins. Atkins was interviewed by detectives on April 16, during which time he denied raping the victim, the report states.

DNA testing received
by authorities on June 11
matched Atkins to the evidence collected at the hospital, and he was arrested in South Carolina and transported back to the Charlotte County Jail, where he remains on $35,000 bond.

Report: Disorderly man threatens, kicks officer

NORTH PORT — Police arrested a North Port man Tuesday night because he was causing a disturbance while under in the influence of drugs, according to a North Port Police report. After being transported to the jail, the man allegedly threatened to kill an officer and then kicked him during the booking process.

The report states officers responded to the 6200 block of Deming Avenue after neighbors called to complain that David Evan Libby, 43, was out of control and could be heard yelling, using profanity and kicking fences from several houses away. Libby was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. While being transported to the Sarasota County Jail, Libby allegedly threatened to kill an NPPD officer. Once at the jail, during booking Libby — who had taken the drug K2, or synthetic marijuana — was uncooperative. He also threatened to kick an officer and then proceeded to do so, the report states.

Libby was also charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, firefighter or EMT. He remains in the Sarasota County Jail on $15,000 bond.

Man charged with stealing $27,000 worth of jewelry

ENGLEWOOD — A condominium manager’s son allegedly stole $27,000 worth of jewelry from a resident and pawned the items at various pawn shops in Charlotte and Sarasota counties, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Christopher Daniel Straub, 26, of the 1100 block of Gulf Blvd., Englewood, was charged with grand theft in connection with the incident.

According to a report, the victim phoned authorities on March 1 after she discovered a large portion of jewelry missing from her condo. On Aug. 30, Straub’s mother informed authorities her son had pawned a large amount of jewelry. The report states Straub received a total of $1,500 for the pawned items, which included, in part, 14-karat gold bracelets, necklaces, earrings and pendants. Straub also pawned a platinum diamond ring, the report states.

Using copies of Straub’s driver’s license, thumbprint and photographs taken during the pawn transactions, authorities were able to connect him to the crime and placed him under arrest. He was released from the Charlotte County Jail on $15,000 bond.

National drug turn-in Saturday

SARASOTA COUNTY — The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration national event to “take back” and properly dispose of prescription medication from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Sheriff’s Office has permanent drop boxes in the lobby of the Criminal Justice Center, 2071 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, which is open 24 hours a day, and the south county office, 4531 State Road 776, Venice, where the hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While the boxes are available to the public year-round, the Sheriff’s Office participates in state and national take back initiatives to publicize the permanent options for proper disposal that are available in Sarasota County for unused or expired medication.

Medication turn-in is always anonymous. Prescription and over-the-counter solid dosage medications such as tablets and capsules are accepted. Proper disposal is important to protect the environment, and it also reduces the chance that prescription medications might get into the wrong hands or make homes a target of criminals searching for pills.

In addition to Saturday’s event, a prescription turn-in drive-thru will be available at National Night Out, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 2, at Laurel Park on Collins Road in Laurel.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests:

• Andrew David Smith, 21, 400 block of E. Ann St., Punta Gorda. Charges: failure to appear, two counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of marijuana, possession of narcotic equipment and violation of probation. Bond: none.

• Jose Angel Linares, 22, 1200 block of Slash Pine Circle, Punta Gorda. Charge: violation of probation (original charges: carrying a concealed firearm, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia). Bond: none.

• James Edward Bostic, 56, 21000 block of Lawson Ave., Port Charlotte. Charge: DUI. Bond: $750.

• Matthew Jacob Sobrower, 19, 20000 block of Chalkleaf Court, Port Charlotte. Charge: out-of-county warrant. Bond: none.

• Clint Michael Northcutt, 38, 20000 block of Sandcraft Ave., Port Charlotte. Charges: failure to appear, driving with a suspended license and failure to maintain vehicle insurance. Bond: $5,500.

• Kathleen Brenda Nasco-Murphy, 40, of the 23000 block of Central Ave., Port Charlotte. Charge: Pasco County warrant. Bond: $3,055.

• Richard Shaundell McCutchen, 35, 400 block of Ricold Terrace, Port Charlotte. Charge: knowingly driving with a suspended license. Bond: $500.

• Rafael Gamez Torres, 44, 900 block of Linnaen Terrace N.W., Port Charlotte. Charge: driving with a suspended license for more than six months. Bond: $500.

• Michael Paul Anderson, 31, 3600 lock of Lundale Ave., North Port. Charge: violation of probation (original charges: grand theft and resisting arrest). Bond: none.

• Christopher J. Dreksler, 24, 1200 block of Night Wind Terrace, North Port. Charges: possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotic equipment and violation of probation. Bond: none.

• Patricia Jacqueline Ruggiere, 43, 1600 block of Cardinal Lane, Englewood. Charge: petty theft. Bond: $500.

• Ayisha Elizabeth Sisson, 21, 6300 block of Roberta Drive, Englewood. Charge: violation of probation (original charge: operating a motor vehicle without a valid license). Bond: $700.

• Brian Lee Howard, 34, Cape Coral. Charges: failure to appear and two counts of violation of probation (original charges: violating restrictions placed on nonresidential driver’s license and driving with a suspended license). Bond: none.

• Brianna Michelle Jackson, 22, 500 block of Corto Andra St., Punta Gorda. Charges: battery, failure to appear and violation of probation. Bond: none.

• Marcella Ann Johnson, 41, 700 block of Crestview Circle, Port Charlotte. Charge: DUI. Bond: $2,500.

• Tanya Lea Barnett, 55, 24500 block of Harborview Road, Port Charlotte. Charge: violation of probation (original charges: failure to maintain insurance, driving with a suspended license and driving with a suspended license for more than 8 months). Bond: $800.

• Nathan Andrew Mamalis, 23, 7200 block of Bridgeport Lane, Englewood. Charges: disorderly intoxication and disturbing the peace. Bond: $1,000.

The North Port Police Department reported the following arrests:

• Kevin Anthony Kovalsky, 45, 3600 block of Cordova Terrace, North Port. Charges: driving while license is suspended or revoked with knowledge, failure to register a motor vehicle and failure to have motor vehicle liability insurance. Bond: $490.

• Aaron Brooks, 42, 1200 block of Marlow St., Port Charlotte. Charges: DUI and criminal mischief with property damage. Bond: $1,000.

• Igor N. Svidunovich, 28, 3600 block of Chiron Ave., North Port. Charge: criminal contempt (original charge: failure to comply with discovery responsibilities). Bond: $500.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests:

• Paul Thomas Fiddler, 20, 400 block of S. Park Blvd., Venice. Charge: violation of probation (original charges: sale, delivery, manufacture or possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia). Bond: none.

• Siobahn J. Conner, 27, 300 block of Gardenia Road, Venice. Charges: possession of controlled substance (buprenorphine hydrochloride), possession and/or use of narcotic equipment. Bond: $1,120.

• Glenn Allen Stapans, 27, 500 block of Fall Brook Drive, Venice. Charge: Charlotte County warrant (original charge: violation of a protection injunction). Bond: $2,500.

• Ruth Diane Barnes, 46, 2700 block of Denicke St., North Port. Charges: three counts of first-degree petty theft. Bond: $6,000.

• Gail Ann Casa, 30, 13100 block of Janwood Ave., Port Charlotte. Charges: three Manatee County warrants (original charges: violation of probation for child neglect, two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud). Bond: none.

• Robert Barron, 55, 2800 block of Gentian Road, Venice. Charge: contempt (original charge: possession of an open container on a public right of way). Bond: $50.

— Compiled by Drew Winchester and Anne Klockenkemper