Man Arrested for Alleged Encounter with 15-Year-Old on Fort Myers Beach

Authorities say the 26-year-old suspect traveled from Bradenton to meet the teen he connected with on Facebook.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:51pm

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, discarded condom on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the disturbing aftermath of a predatory crime against a minor.A grim reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, this stark image captures the unsettling aftermath of a predator's actions.Fort Myers Today

A 26-year-old man was arrested at Lynn Hall Memorial Park on Fort Myers Beach after deputies said they found him with a 15-year-old girl he had met on Facebook. Marlon Rojas is accused of driving from Bradenton to the beach to meet up with the teen, and authorities say they discovered nude images of an underage girl on his phone.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of online predators targeting minors and the need for increased vigilance and education around social media safety, especially in tourist areas like Fort Myers Beach that attract both visitors and locals.

The details

According to deputies, they found Rojas sleeping in the backseat of his car with the 15-year-old girl early Sunday morning. The teen initially denied having sex with Rojas, but authorities said her underwear had been removed. Investigators then discovered nude images of an underage girl on Rojas' phone.

  • Deputies responded to a call about a suspicious car at Lynn Hall Memorial Park around 4 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • Rojas was arrested and booked into the Lee County Jail on charges of lewd and lascivious acts, child pornography, and using obscene communication to travel to meet a minor.

The players

Marlon Rojas

A 26-year-old man from Bradenton, Florida who was arrested for allegedly meeting up with a 15-year-old girl he connected with on Facebook.

Lee County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the call about the suspicious car and made the arrest.

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What they’re saying

“Fort Myers is trying to come back — period. Then, you see these men coming down here and just this setback, you're scared for your kids.”

— Lisa Hurley, Local Resident

“He definitely knew how old she was. You just got to get creeps, like, off the streets.”

— Tanner Wineinger, Local Resident

What’s next

The Lee County Sheriff's Office said Rojas is being held for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Lee County Jail.

The takeaway

This case underscores the urgent need for increased online safety education and vigilance to protect minors from sexual predators who may try to exploit them through social media platforms.