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March 19, 2005
Jessica Lunsford
Sex Offender Admits Killing Florida Girl
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- A registered sex offender confessed on Friday to kidnapping and killing a 9-year-old Florida girl, who disappeared more than three weeks ago, police said.
John Evander Couey, 46, was arrested in Georgia on Thursday after police said they wanted to talk to him about Jessica Lunsford, who went missing from her home in Homosassa Springs, north of Tampa.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said Jessica's body had not been found but police were searching for it in an area near the Lunsford home, where Couey had directed them.
"John Couey has admitted abducting Jessica Lunsford and subsequently taking her life," Dawsy said. "I've got my man."
Jessica, who lived with her father and grandparents in Homosassa Springs, went to bed on Feb. 23 and was reported missing the next morning.
Police became aware of Couey during a routine search for known sex offenders near Jessica's home. They learned Couey had recently been living with a relative whose home was within view of the Lunsford home.
Police issued an alert for Couey and he was taken into custody on Thursday in Augusta, Georgia.
Officials said Couey had a lengthy criminal history in Florida, dating back to the late 1970s. It included a 1991 arrest on charges of fondling a child under the age of 16, which led to his designation as a sex offender, police said.
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This is a very sad story to have to report. My heart goes out to this family. Please - may the day come where we get a better handle on these predators. This lengthy criminal, sex offender and sexual predator should have been on a tighter leash. This is a very sad day. indeed.
Posted by Nealus at March 19, 2005 11:34 AM
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