A New Smyrna Beach felon arrested again this week is accused of raping a 10-year-old boy two years ago, police said.
Desman Jefferson, 32, is charged with sexual battery against a victim younger than 12, lewd and lascivious molestation and tampering with a witness. During his first court appearance Thursday, a judge denied bail, so Jefferson remains behind bars at the Volusia County Branch Jail.
The incident was reported to New Smyrna Beach police on Feb. 20. An arrest report stated that the child, who was in class, notified someone via text messaging that Jefferson had raped him. The woman who texted him the message pulled him out of school and took him to the police department where they filed a report, authorities said.
One day in mid-2016, the boy had gone to the bathroom at a house in New Smyrna Beach and the suspect followed him and abused the child, according to police.
After the incident was reported to police in February, the Florida Department of Children and Families was contacted.
Police said Jefferson defied police's orders and made contact with two children, one of whom was friends with the accuser. That is what resulted in the tampering charge, according to an arrest report.
Jefferson's arrest record is extensive, going as far back as 2003. State records show he has served three separate stints in prison. Twice he was convicted of cocaine-related felony charges. In October 2009, he served nearly a year in prison after being convicted of aggravated fleeing or eluding law enforcement.
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