CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — A corrections officer at the federal Coleman Correctional Complex in Sumter County sexually abused a young girl for years, Citrus County Sheriff's investigators say.

  • Coleman Correctional Complex corrections officer accused of abusing girl
  • Girl told investigators that she'd been abused since before she was 10
  • Investigators: Man said encounters happened in Citrus, Lake, Broward

Kenneth Slanker, 41, of Inverness, Florida was arrested Wednesday night on charges of sexual battery on a victim under 12, lewd and lascivious battery, and lewd and lascivious molestation.

Slanker came to the attention of the Sheriff's Office late Tuesday night, they said. Investigators interviewed the girl the next day, when she told them that she'd been abused for years by Slanker since before she turned 10 years old.

Detectives who made contact with Slanker said he admitted to at least 25 encounters with the girl, the first one being when she was about 9 years old and the most recent just a few months ago, they said. Slanker told them encounters happened in Citrus, Lake, and Broward counties, investigators said.

A judge set Slanker's bond at $250,000.

Because the incidents happened across several counties, detectives think there could be more victims of abuse. Anyone with information on Slanker, or if you know of someone who may be a victim, you're urged to call the Citrus County Sheriff's Office at (352) 249-2718 or email at sconley@sheriffcitrus.org.

Kenneth Slanker (Citrus County Sheriff's Office)
Kenneth Slanker (Citrus County Sheriff's Office)