Gifts, Phones, and Emotional Manipulation

As part of the grooming process, Escobtria sent the victim multiple iPhones, including a brand-new white iPhone 16, which he activated with cellular service. He also mailed her personal gifts, including a sweatshirt and a bracelet. Four days before traveling to Florida, he got a tattoo on his hand of the victim’s nickname.

Investigators later uncovered thousands of messages, photographs, and videos exchanged between the two. Some depicted Escobtria picking the victim up from school, while others showed the juvenile lying naked on a hotel bed with his hand on her body.

Trip to Florida and Physical Contact

Escobtria traveled from South Carolina to Brevard County on August 23, 2025, and stayed at the Hampton Inn in Titusville for approximately one week. During that time, he picked the victim up from school on multiple occasions, took her to Taco Bell, and brought her back to his hotel room.

While there, he allegedly took photographs and videos “to have memories” in intimate areas, according to the affidavit. Location data from the victim’s phone confirmed her presence at the hotel during the period in question.

Investigation Triggered by Suspicious iPhone

The case began in the early morning hours of September 9, when a witness noticed the victim with a brand-new iPhone she didn’t recognize. Upon examining the phone, the witness found explicit images and videos and immediately turned it over to law enforcement.

Deputies secured the device, executed search warrants, and conducted forensic interviews. A controlled phone call between the victim and Escobtria was also recorded, during which he acknowledged their sexual contact and expressed confusion about her undergoing a sexual assault kit examination.

Prior Allegations and Pattern of Behavior

Investigators discovered that Escobtria had previously been accused of sexually abusing another child between 2016 and 2019 in South Carolina, involving inappropriate touching of a prepubescent girl’s breasts and genital area. He also has a history of domestic violence.

Charges Filed

Probable cause was established to charge Escobtria with:

• Lewd or Lascivious Battery Victim 12 to 16
• Lewd or Lascivious Molestation Victim 12 to 16

He was arrested on October 10, 2025.

How Grooming Happens — and Why Parents Must Pay Attention

This case is a textbook example of how online predators groom minors through seemingly harmless platforms. Escobtria used common tactics:

• Starting conversations casually through social apps
• Building trust with daily contact through social apps
• Introducing sexual content slowly
• Sending gifts and technology to gain leverage
• Isolating the victim emotionally from adults

Popular platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord are not just for kids — they are also fertile ground for predators looking to exploit gaps in parental oversight.

“Predators don’t always lurk in the shadows — sometimes they’re chatting in your child’s pocket,” one investigator said. “Parents need to know who their kids are talking to online.”

Warning Signs for Parents

Parents and guardians are urged to closely monitor their children’s social media use and look out for these red flags:

• Receiving unexplained gifts or electronics
• Secrecy about online conversations
• Sudden mood changes or evasiveness
• Communication with older individuals online
• Deleting message histories or using multiple accounts

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office advises using parental controls, regularly reviewing friend lists, and maintaining open conversations about online safety.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden risks in digital spaces. Authorities encourage anyone with information on similar cases to contact local law enforcement immediately.