TAVARES, Florida—A Marion County man taken into custody by U.S. Marshals last week in Marion County on a warrant for sex crimes against a young child in Eustis has been transferred to the Lake County Jail.
William Grady Keel, 26, was picked up by U.S. Marshals on a warrant for sexual battery on a child under 12 and lewd or lascivious molestation on a child under 12 on Thursday, Eustis Police Department Capt. Dave Carney told Inside Lake. According to the address listed for Keel on LCJ’s online booking records, Keel lives in the Umatilla area of Marion County. The city limits of Umatilla are in Lake County, but a portion of Marion County has Umatilla addresses.
The investigation into the allegations against Keel began when an anonymous call was made to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the agency requested EPD’s assistance because the alleged crimes occurred in Eustis. Carney said. The relationship between Keel and his female victim was not released because it may identify her.
The child was interviewed by the Children’s Advocacy Center and she made statements about sexual behavior that a child her age should not know, Carney said. EPD did not release the child’s exact age, only that she is under 10 years old. Physical evidence also backed up the claims of abuse, Carney said.
Keel knew he was under investigation, Carney told Inside Lake, and he made comments that he would not be arrested easily, so the Marshals were asked to pick him up.
“Before he knew it, he was in custody,” Carney said.
Keel was held in the Marion County Jail on no bond until he was transferred to the Lake County Jail Monday morning, where he continues to be held on no bond.
