Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Man arrested after hiding in teenager’s bedroom closet for more than a month

Police say he made multiple trips to have sex with girl after meeting on chat app

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Thursday 01 October 2020 01:57 BST
Comments
Man arrested after allegedly hiding in the bedroom closet of a Florida teenager for more than a month
Man arrested after allegedly hiding in the bedroom closet of a Florida teenager for more than a month (iStock)

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

A man was arrested after allegedly hiding in the bedroom closet of a Florida teenager for more than a month before being caught.

Johnathan Rossmoine is accused of hiding from the teen’s parents at their home in Spring Hill, Florida, for weeks while he sexually assaulted their 15-year-old daughter.

Rossmoine, 36, admitted that he had travelled multiple times from his home in Louisiana to have sex with the teenager, say police.

Hernando County officials say that on this last trip Rossmoine spent five weeks at the home, arriving there on August 19, before he was caught.

He was finally discovered by the family when they reportedly heard nosies coming from the bedroom.

“He and the young lady came up with the idea that he could just stay in her room if he hid in the closet whenever the parents came in,” Hernando County Sheriff’s Office detective Tom Cameron told FOX 13.

“They kept the bedroom door closed and locked.

“Whenever someone came to the door it gave them an opportunity to run and hide in the closet and open up the door to where maybe she was changing or something.”

Rossmoine also allegedly told officers he had sex with the teenager in his van which was parked near her home.

Police say Rossmoine met his victim two years ago on a messaging app.

He was charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious behaviour, obscene behaviour and travelling to meet a child for sexual purposes.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in