Joseph Scott Michaels has been convicted of Lewd or Lascivious Battery. A jury returned the guilty verdict this afternoon following a three-day trial in Collier County.
Assistant State Attorney Sarah Woodward prosecuted the case.
The crime was discovered by a Collier County Sheriff’s Deputy on routine patrol. On October 24, 2024, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the deputy was driving an unmarked patrol vehicle in the area of a shopping plaza on Wilson Boulevard South. An SUV was parked in a dark and secluded area and the deputy watched as a man got out of the rear of the vehicle and was pulling up his pants.
The deputy approached and saw a young female in the back of the vehicle attempting to put her clothes on. The child victim told law enforcement the defendant had sex with her. Evidence confirming what the child victim said, was found and collected on scene, and the defendant was arrested.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2026.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director