Tourist was assaulted by teen, police say

The victim was met at Redington Shores beach and then abducted and assaulted by the teen and his friends, police say.

By CHRIS TISCH

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 7, 2001

LARGO -- A Pinellas Park teenager has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault and abduction of a 15-year-old Iowa tourist who has the mental capacity of a third-grader.

Joshua Edward Frascello, 16, of 5109 86th Ave. N, is charged with attempted sexual battery. He could face additional charges, as could three of his friends who, authorities say, were involved in the abduction.

Police said Frascello met the girl May 30 on the beach in the city of Redington Shores. The pair walked down the beach and went into the water, where, police said, Frascello sexually assaulted her.

Police said Frascello and his friends then lured the girl into a car. They told the girl they would bring her right back. Instead, they drove her to a residence on Mary Sue Street in Largo.

There, Frascello again sexually assaulted the girl, police said. He and one of his friends got the girl back into the car. They drove her to Rainbow Village in the Baskins area of Largo, where they tricked her into getting out of the car, police said. Then they slammed the door and drove off, leaving the girl standing in her bathing suit, police said.

A neighbor on Mary Sue Street had heard the boys talking and then saw them leave and come back without the girl. The neighbor went looking for the girl, found her and returned her to the beach. The girl had been missing for several hours, and her parents were frantic, said Detective Diane Martin.

Martin said Frascello has been charged in connection with the sexual assault that occurred on Mary Sue Street. Prosecutors are considering other charges, she said.

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