Palatka man, 32, accused of sex crimes against teen arrested after multi‑county investigation

(June 11, 2026) Just moments ago, the Putnum County Sheriff’s Office announced that a 32‑year‑old Palatka man is behind bars without bond after detectives say a month‑long, multi‑county investigation uncovered sexually explicit messages, nude images, and grooming behavior involving a local teenager.

David Donnelly, 32, was charged with sexual assault of a minor, soliciting a minor, transmitting harmful material to a child, and destroying evidence after investigators say he cultivated an inappropriate relationship with a 16‑ or 17‑year‑old victim he met through mutual acquaintances.

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Investigation Sparked by Concerned Parent

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the case began last month when the victim’s parent reported suspicions about Donnelly’s interactions with their child. Detectives interviewed the teen, who described meeting Donnelly through an older sibling and friends, as well as through Donnelly’s nephew during online gaming sessions.

The victim told investigators that Donnelly initiated sexually explicit conversations on social media platforms—including Snapchat—and sent nude photos and a video.

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Traffic Stop Leads to Break in the Case

On May 21, detectives conducted a traffic stop on Donnelly, arresting him on an unrelated Flagler County warrant. During questioning, Donnelly reportedly admitted he had learned the victim was underage “eight to nine months earlier.”

Detectives seized his phone under a search warrant before he was transferred to Flagler County on probation violation charges.

Around the same time, investigators received an April report from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office documenting additional explicit messages between Donnelly and the teen.

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Arrest Warrant Served in Jail

On June 8, detectives secured a warrant for Donnelly’s arrest on the new charges. He was served at the Flagler County Jail and will be transferred to Putnam County at a later date. He remains held without bond.

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Sheriff Praises Parent for Speaking Up

Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach commended the victim’s parent for taking action despite the emotional difficulty of the situation.

“The parent of the victim did an amazing job of advocating for the victim,” DeLoach said. “This was not an easy task because the victim was falsely led to believe this was ‘love’. The victim was groomed and admitted to being given alcohol during encounters with Donnelly as he gained trust.”

Because the case involves a sex crime, authorities are withholding all identifying information about the victim.

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(Source and images: Putnum County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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