A 21-year-old Williston man was arrested for having an alleged sexual relationship with a minor on Dec. 18.

According to a Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) release sent Monday, detectives arrested Bryan Cardozo-Mendieta on Dec. 18.

The arrest stemmed from investigators with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) alerting LCSO resource officers on Dec. 11 to a possible inappropriate relationship between a 12-year-old student and an adult male, later identified as Cardozo-Mendieta.

LCSO school resource deputies conducted an initial investigation with DCF and found digital evidence confirming the sexual relationship. School resource personnel contacted the LCSO Criminal Investigation Division for further investigation.

LCSO detectives and a victim advocate responded to a middle school to interview witnesses and parents of the juvenile victim. The victim also participated in a forensic interview at the University of Florida with Child Protection Team investigators.

Digital evidence identified Cardozo-Mendieta, of Williston, as the suspect involved in the sexual relationship with the juvenile.

LCSO detectives Ryan Sullivan and Cody Weaver located Cardozo-Mendietas at his residence in Williston on Dec. 18. The suspect attempted to destroy and conceal evidence and detectives had to restrain him.

Cardozo-Mendietas was transported to the Levy County Detention Center and charged with lewd and lascivious molestation and transmission of harmful material to a minor. He is being held without bond.

Additional charges are expected to be filed against Cardozo-Mendieta and LCSO detectives believe more victims could be identified.

Anyone who has been in contact with Cardozo-Medieta and has information about his activities is urged to call Sullivan Weaver at 352-486-5111.