Pinellas Park, FL – Authorities in Pinellas Park have arrested a 26-year-old man after he allegedly broke into a family home through a bedroom window to meet a 16-year-old girl he had been communicating with online, leading to charges of traveling to meet a minor and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
The incident occurred on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at approximately 4:20 p.m. in the 6900 block of Cedar Ridge Drive. According to the Pinellas Park Police Department, officers were dispatched to the residence following a witness’s report of a burglary in progress. The witness observed an unidentified male entering the home through a bedroom window.
Upon arriving at the scene, responding officers spoke with the homeowners, who were unaware that an intruder had entered their property. A subsequent search of the residence uncovered 26-year-old Eliezer Soto, a Hispanic male born on April 17, 1999, and a resident of Pinellas Park, hiding inside a closet in the 16-year-old daughter’s bedroom. Soto was partially undressed at the time of his discovery and arrest.
Further investigation by police revealed that the teenage girl had been exchanging messages with Soto via multiple social networking applications. The communications were described as sexual in nature, and the minor had invited Soto to the home, prompting him to travel there and enter unlawfully. Soto faces charges of Traveling to Meet a Minor and Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail following his apprehension.
Pinellas Park Police Detectives are actively continuing their probe into the matter, examining whether additional incidents involving Soto or further charges are warranted. No other individuals were reported injured during the encounter, and the minor’s identity is being protected in accordance with privacy protocols for juvenile victims.
This case underscores the growing risks associated with online interactions between adults and minors, as law enforcement agencies nationwide intensify efforts to combat child exploitation through digital platforms. The Pinellas Park Police Department has not released additional details at this time, but encourages anyone with information related to the case to contact detectives directly.
Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.