Zachary Mueller of Fort Lauderdale, Florida was arrested Thursday after he was accused of sexually assaulting a minor while she slept, news sources report. Mueller, 31, was booked into the Broward County Main Jail on charges of sexual battery of a victim over 12 years old with physical force. A judge ordered that he be held in lieu of $5,000 bail bond. The press did not specify an attorney for Mueller.
According to reports, Mueller met the victim on Monday at a funeral. Information regarding the victim's identity was not immediately available at press time; she is reportedly above the age of 12, but younger than 18. After a chat, Mueller reportedly invited the victim to his home in Sunrise.
The victim accepted the invitation and visited Mueller's home. While there, sources say Mueller served the victim alcohol. Later on into the visit, the victim became tired and went to sleep in one of the home's bedrooms. Mueller and his girlfriend slept in a separate room, reports say.
The victim was later woken up to Mueller sexually assaulting her, reports say. The victim told Mueller to stop, but he allegedly continued the assault. "The victim panicked and froze, however she wept during the entirety of the unlawful sexual activity," a police report apparently says. The victim left the home soon after and reported the incident to the police.
The following day, detectives had the victim contact Mueller by phone to arrange to meet at an unspecified location in Sunrise. According to reports, police were monitoring the meeting using surveillance equipment. Muller reportedly told the victim, "I'm sorry for raping you," after which he was arrested.
Not all child abuse is of a sexual nature. Grant Mulder of Madeira Beach was arrested Wednesday after he was allegedly left his seven-year-old daughter on the side of the road after a car accident, reports say. Mulder, 41, was allegedly drunk at the time; he was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of child abuse, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage. It is unclear whether he qualified for bail or hired legal representation.
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