Samuel Dillon Free

WELLBORN, Fla. — An Arizona man was arrested Sunday on charges of sexual battery of a minor.

According to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, 35-year-old Samuel Dillon Free, of Atlantic Beach, had a sexual relationship with a girl from the time the victim was 12 years through her early teenage years.

The SCSO report said most of the abuse occurred while they lived in Sevierville, Tenn., but two occasions occurred in Wellborn while visiting relatives. 

The victim was in her early teens when the sexual battery occurred in Wellborn, according to the report.

After returning to Tennessee, it continued until the victim was 15, the report states.

According to the report, the suspect contacted the victim in December 2017 and January 2018 in an attempt to meet up again, texting numerous graphic messages including referring to “being the one who took her virginity.”

Authorities were present while the suspect texted the victim, the report states.

Free has been charged with sexual battery – victim 12 YOA or older, no physical force.

He remains in the Suwannee County Jail with a $150,000 bond.