August 7, 2025 – Port Charlotte, FL
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release
A 39-year-old man was arrested on multiple lewd and lascivious charges involving a female victim under the age of 16.
On Tuesday, August 5, deputies responded to a Port Charlotte home after concerning text messages were discovered between a man and a juvenile female. These messages were sexual in nature and included nude photographs of the victim. The victim’s mother confronted the victim about the messages, who confirmed the activity.
The suspect, identified as Adam Franz (01/23/1986), was a friend of the victim’s family. During the last two years, Franz has engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with the juvenile multiple times, to include when the victim was left in his care and when the suspect vacationed with the victim’s family.
“I have been very clear about this before, but I am happy to say it again; If you do something that hurts an innocent child in my county, you will face the consequences. I don’t care who you are, we will find you and you will be arrested. There is zero sympathy for people who prey on children, period.”
Sheriff Bill Prummell
Through investigation, detectives discovered that Franz had sent the victim messages instructing her to delete other messages in case anyone were to check her phone. The device did show that some messages had been deleted.
When detectives made contact with Franz, he requested to speak with an attorney.
Franz was placed under arrest and transported to the Charlotte County Jail where he is being held on $300,000.00 bond.