UP arrests Clearwater man for sexual battery

Sean McDonald, 18
A Clearwater man was arrested Sunday by University Police (UP) for sexual battery and possession of cocaine.
Sean McDonald, 18, confessed in an interview with UP to sexual battery against a 17-year-old USF student. He is not associated with USF, according to UP.
UP reportedly responded to a report at Magnolia Apartments on campus of alleged sexual battery from the victim’s mother, whom the victim had called to inform her of the incident. McDonald was an acquaintance of the victim, according to UP report.
McDonald is a lifeguard at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County.
He admitted to assaulting the victim while she was unconscious until she woke up, according to the criminal report. He also admitted to possession an unspecified amount of cocaine.
UP Public Information Officer Renna Reddick said McDonald had been on campus visiting friends, but doesn’t know whether or not he had been on campus before then.
McDonald was identified as the suspect, found, interviewed and arrested, according to Reddick.
He was taken to Orient Road Jail and has since posted his $17,000 bail.
Reddick reported that UP has not followed up with the victim at this time but is still handling the case.
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