Pinellas Park Man Jailed for Sexual Battery on a Child After Officer Stops Him From Jumping off Skyway

The Pinellas Park Police have arrested 53 year-old James Humphreys on eight counts of Sexual Battery and Fleeing and Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer.

Investigators from the Pinellas Park Police Department developed probable cause to arrest James Cromwell Humphreys on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 after conducting further investigation into the allegations of sexual battery committed upon two separate juvenile males.  The 10 and 12 year-old males are being described as neighborhood friends.

During the investigation, detectives were able to determine that Humphreys had the victims at his residence multiple times between September and December of 2018, during which time he performed oral sex on the juvenile victims.  Also during the investigation it was determined that Humphreys was buying the victims gifts, taking them to lunch and to the park in an effort to continue his sexual relationship with the victims.

On Wednesday morning at approximately 8:00 am detectives attempted to make contact with Humphreys at his residence at which time he refused to come to the door and speak with the detectives.  After leaving the residence detectives were in communication with the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office regarding this investigation when Humphreys left his residence that was under surveillance. 

During an attempt to conduct a traffic stop on Humphreys he fled the scene driving recklessly against traffic in 7400 block of 49th Street at which time officers called off any attempts to stop Humphreys from fleeing.

At approximately 12:00 pm, information was received that Humphreys vehicle was located parked on top of the Skyway Bridge and he was found standing on the edge of the bridge threatening to jump.  St. Petersburg Police units and a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper initially made contact with Humphreys on the bridge and were attempting to speak with him. 

A detective with Pinellas Park PD that was familiar with the investigation and who is a trained crisis negotiator arrived on scene at the Skyway Bridge and he began speaking with Humphreys.  The detective was able to speak with and convince Humphreys to climb back on to the roadway of the bridge where was taken into custody with the assistance of the St. Petersburg Police Department Officers and Florida Highway Patrol Trooper.

Pinellas Park Police believe there is the potential for more victims and are asking anyone with additional information to come forward.  The investigation remains open at this time.

Additional details are currently unavailable but Humphreys was arrested for Lewd and Lascivious Battery and Capital Sexual Battery in October 2007.