Mulberry mayor accused of sexual contact with minor, suspended from office

Polk County deputies arrested the mayor of Mulberry Friday.

Julian Mullis is charged with one felony count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

The arrest report says the alleged sexual encounter was consensual when it happened in June at Mullis' home in Mulberry.

According to the affidavit, the investigation began on August 28, 2010 when the 17-year-old boy reported the incident to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say Mullis said he met the victim on a matchmaker website and said the victim listed his age as 19. 

Mullis also told deputies that he met up with the victim at Pulse, a Lakeland nightclub, where he says he saw the victim drinking alcohol.

After further investigation and interviews with the victim and Mullis, a warrant was issued for Mullis' arrest on Friday.

Mullis was taken into custody without incident and taken to the Polk County Jail. He will have a first appearance hearing on Saturday.

Some Mulberry residents say they want Mullis to resign.

"I'm not happy about it because everyone looks up to our mayor since we're such a small city," said resident Tara Nance.

"Everybody looks to him for decisions and his honesty and his capability of doing things for us," said resident Mildred Thompson. "And, he turns around and does this. It is... I can't even put it into words."

Governor Charlie Crist issued an executive order later Friday afternoon that immediately suspended Mullis from public office.