WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — A DeFuniak Springs man has been arrested following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a victim between 16 and 17 years old, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) announced.
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According to the WCSO, the case began on October 14 when a professor at a local college reported that a student had disclosed being sexually abused. The professor promptly notified Campus Police, who in turn contacted the sheriff’s office.
Investigators met with the victim, who provided a detailed statement and recordings that reportedly supported her account. The evidence included inappropriate sexual contact and explicit comments made by the suspect toward the victim.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Charles Marcello Buono of DeFuniak Springs, was located at his home and agreed to speak with investigators. Mr Buono initially denied the allegations but later admitted to being the person depicted in one of the videos after investigators presented it to him, the sheriff’s office said.
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Mr Buono was arrested without incident and booked into the Walton County Jail on Tuesday night. He is charged with lewd and lascivious molestation by an offender 24 years of age or older on a victim 16 or 17 years of age. He was issued a $100,000 bond and remains incarcerated.
“What happened here is nothing short of evil,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Crimes like this shake our sense of humanity, and we will not rest until justice is served.”
The WCSO commended the victim for their courage in coming forward and the college staff for their prompt response.
Mr Buono, who worked as a bus driver for the Walton County School District, was immediately suspended following his arrest, and termination proceedings have begun. He was also employed by the Defense Health Agency as a Department of Defense contractor.
The sheriff’s office said the charges do not stem from any actions during Mr Buono’s time as a bus driver or involve any students on his bus route. However, investigators said they cannot rule out the possibility that there may be additional victims.
Anyone with information or who believes they may be a victim is encouraged to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains active, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
