Arrest made in potential capital sexual assault case

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man they say has confessed to sexually abusing a victim years ago, starting when she was eight years old.

On Thursday, detectives took Giancarlo Gonzalez-Nieves, 24, into custody, arresting him and charging him with sexual battery by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12. This is now a capital offense in the State of Florida.

Sheriff Marcos Lopez said deputies originally responded on June 4 to take a report from a teenager who alleged she had been the victim of sexual abuse nearly four years prior. Working with the Sheriff's Special Victim’s Unit. Through investigation, detectives say they were able to obtain multiple admissions from Gonzalez-Nieves that confirmed the allegations of abuse from the victim, and that the abuse occurred at his family's home on Pleasant Hill Road. An arrest warrant for Gonzalez-Nieves was submitted, obtained and executed on Thursday.

Lopez said Gonzalez-Nieves is not related to the victim, and has no prior criminal record in Osceola County.

"The victim bravely came forward," Lopez said. "I'm so proud of the detectives' investigation in this case."

Lopez noted the suspect mentioned attending the Iglesia Palabra De Fe on Old Dixie Highway in Kissimmee, and detectives would be reaching out to church leaders to see if there are any additional victims. Any other victims or witnesses are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 407-348-2222.