A 23-year-old Florida woman, Alyssa Ann Zinger, was arrested for posing online as a 14-year-old girl to meet and molest a teenage boy. She was arrested for the second time after four more victims came forward. Zinger allegedly engaged in at least 30 sexual acts with a middle school student and sent explicit videos to several more minors. She created a fake persona on social media and communicated with the minors mainly through Snapchat. Tampa police believed there were additional victims.
After her first arrest, Zinger was charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery and five counts of lewd or lascivious molestation. Additional charges were added on Thursday, including two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation, two counts of lewd or lascivious battery, possession of child pornography, in-state transmission of child pornography by electronic device, and sexual cyber harassment. Victims reported having sex multiple times with Zinger and receiving explicit photos and videos from her.
Zinger and one of the victims were caught shoplifting at a Nordstrom in July. Zinger lied about her age, saying she was born in 2009, but the police officer found records that contradicted her claim. The police had been investigating Zinger for about a year and confirmed that she was an adult through school and employment records. A victim came forward about Zinger’s alleged crimes just three months later.
Overall, Zinger faces numerous charges related to sex crimes with minors, including lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious battery, possession and transmission of child pornography, and sexual cyber harassment. She targeted minors by posing as a young girl online and engaging in sexual acts with multiple victims. The case highlights the dangers of online predators and the importance of monitoring children’s online activity and protecting them from potential harm. Zinger’s actions have put her in legal jeopardy and caused significant trauma to her victims.
