Florida woman, 22, posed as 14-year-old homeschooled child to sexually prey on middle schoolers: Police

A Florida woman, 22, posed as a 14-year-old homeschooled child to sexually prey on middle schoolers, according to police.

Alyssa Ann Zinger was arrested on Nov. 24, and was transported to Orient Road Jail. Zinger was charged with two felony counts of lewd or lascivious battery, and five felony counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim aged 12 to 15. She posted $7,500 bond and was released from jail on the day of her arrest. The 22-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police say Zinger preyed on multiple children who attended Wilson Middle School in Tampa’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The alleged victims believed Zinger was the same age as them after she pretended to be a 14-year-old homeschooled child, according to the warrant.

The Tampa Bay Times reported, "During the investigation, one person told police that Zinger sent a video to several children through Snapchat depicting sexual intercourse."

Zinger met a victim at the end of May after contacting him through the Snapchat social media network, according to the warrant.

The victim alleged to have a sexual relationship with Zinger from late May until mid-September. The victim also claimed that Zinger sent him sexually explicit photos and videos. The victim also said that Zinger told him that she had previously engaged in sexual activities with other minors, the warrant stated.

The New York Post reported that Zinger engaged "in at least 30 sexual acts with at least one student" and shared explicit videos with several others.

However, Zinger and one of her alleged victims were caught shoplifting from a Nordstrom department store in Tampa in July, according to police. She allegedly identified herself as her real name, but stated that she was 14 years old. The officer reportedly could not find her information with the date of birth provided, but pulled up her identity as a 22-year-old. Zinger told the officer that she had a half-sister with the same name, according to the warrant.

The officer later looked up her government, school, and employment records. Her employer – a Publix grocery store in Tampa – allegedly confirmed that she was an adult.

Months later, investigators with the Tampa Police Department were tipped off about the alleged child sex crimes.

Police suspect that there are additional victims.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement, “It is disturbing and unsettling to see an adult take advantage of a child and prey on them. Anyone who may have been a victim of Zinger’s, we encourage you to come forward. The Tampa Police Department will support you and ensure a predator like Zinger doesn’t cause you or others additional harm.”

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130.

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