OSCOELA COUNTY, Fla. — The wife of a Kissimmee 71-year-old man accused of sexual battery on a 13-year-old boy said she had her suspicions, but couldn’t prove anything.
Edwin Garcia was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of sexual battery against a juvenile victim, Kissimmee police said.
His wife of 20 years, Maria Garcia, said she never wants to see her husband again.
“He gets what he deserves,” she said. “I’m very betrayed and destroyed. Very, Very destroyed.”
Police said Edwin Garcia performed oral sex on a 13-year-old boy he was supposed to mentor. The pair met at church, police said.
"We believe there's another victim that is out there, and that leads us to opening the doors because we want to see if there are any other victims,” said Stacie Miller of the Kissimmee Police Department.
Edwin Garcia’s neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said he found the news disturbing.
"It's disheartening that he would use his position in a church to victimize children," said Miller.
In a police report, the victim told police he and Edwin Garcia engaged in sex acts four times at his mobile home.
Maria Garcia said there were sometimes children at the home, but she never saw anything inappropriate.
“I go to sleep. I don’t pay attention. He’ll watch TV and then I don’t know what happens,” she said. “I wish I could have done something for them. For the kids.”
According to the report, Edwin Garcia told the teen, "You know this wasn't gay, OK?"
The accuser said during that time, Edwin Garcia gave him cigarettes, a bong, Xanax and marijuana.
The report states the incidents started happening in 2012, and ended in 2014 when the accuser allegedly told Edwin Garcia "enough is enough."
Police said Edwin Garcia then got into another relationship with someone at a different church.
"Throughout Central Florida, he was affiliated with several churches. He would go and sing at these churches or he even labeled himself as a psychologist or massage therapist," said Miller.
The names of the churches have not been released.
Kissimmee police detectives are asking for any witnesses or additional victims to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 407-846-3333, by email at seeitsayit@kissimmee.org or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). Calls made to CRIMELINE can remain anonymous and are eligible for cash rewards.
Cox Media Group
