Tampa man accused of sexually battering two teens on Clearwater Beach

CLEARWATER — A 25-year-old Tampa man was arrested Sunday on charges that he provided alcohol and marijuana to two teen girls and then sexually battered both of them last month.

Joshua Thomas Rooney faces two felony counts of sexual battery and misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was being held in the Pinellas County jail late Tuesday with bail set at $300,300.

The arrest report said the incident took place June 24 on Clearwater Beach, near 7 Rockaway Street around 4 a.m.

Rooney purchased alcohol and marijuana for the two girls, the report said, causing them to become "extremely intoxicated."

The 17-year-old told police she passed out and then awoke to Rooney sexually battering her. She told police that Rooney was pinning her forearms to the ground, and that she was in shock and couldn't move.

When she was able to leave the area, police said, the 17-year-old immediately told the 16-year-old that Rooney had raped her.

The 16-year-old said she was consoling the other girl when Rooney sexually battered her as well, according to an arrest report. The 17-year-old screamed for help but no one heard her, the report said.

Then on July 2, police said they recorded a call between Rooney and the 16-year-old in which the 25-year-old man confirmed details of the assault.

Police also recorded a July 3 call between Rooney and the 17-year-old, according to the arrest report, during which he indicated that he knew how intoxicated the teen was at the time.

Daniel Figueroa IV can be reached at dfigueroa@tampabay.com. Follow @danuscripts