HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – A Georgia man, 53-year-old Jeffrey Richard Powell of Peachtree City, is facing multiple felony charges after Hernando County Sheriff’s Office detectives say he engaged in a months-long online relationship with a 14-year-old girl residing in Hernando County. The investigation began on February 18, 2026.
According to an official probable cause affidavit, Powell allegedly solicited the minor online. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with assistance from other local and state agencies. The case is ongoing, and Powell is being held at the Hernando County Detention Center.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about potential online exploitation or suspicious activity to report it to the authorities. Residents can contact the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 754-6900 or submit a tip online.
Powell has been charged with multiple felonies, including solicitation of a minor and computer solicitation of a child. The Hernando County State Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case.
Originally reported by R News
Sources: R News
