Pinellas Park police: 50-year-old man committed lewd acts on 12-year-old girl

PINELLAS PARK — A 50-year-old man was arrested by Pinellas Park police on charges that he "coerced" a young girl into committing lewd acts with him.

The abuse started when the victim was 12, police said, and continued until she was 14.

Dean Anthony Birchard was arrested Nov. 25 on charges of sexual battery, lewd and lascivious battery, lewd and lascivious molestation, lewd and lascivious exhibition involving a child under 18 and lewd and lascivious conduct involving a child under 18

The relationship started in June 2008 and ended when the allegations came to light in October, according to Pinellas Park police.

"The victim's mother suspected something may be up," said Capt. Sanfield Forseth. Police then interviewed the victim, Forseth said, and she told police about the 16-month relationship.

Police said Birchard repeatedly told the victim that "he loved her and if she loved him, (she) would participate in lewd sexual acts," according to an arrest report.

Birchard also exposed himself to the victim, a police report said, and sent her pictures of his genitals using a cell phone.

The victim's identity was not disclosed by police.

Birchard, of St. Petersburg, is currently being held in the Pinellas County jail in lieu of $180,000 bail.