Fort Pierce man faces child molestation charges

FORT PIERCE - St. Lucie County sheriff's officials arrested a Fort Pierce man Wednesday in a case involving sexual contact with a teen, records show.

Cody Lee Bennett, 21, of the 4600 block of Magnolia Drive, was charged with sexual battery on a person age 12 to 18, lewd or lascivious battery, promoting sexual performance by a child, and two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a person age 12 to 16, records show.

He remained at the St. Lucie County Jail on Friday in lieu of $450,000 bail.

In July, Bennett called a 15-year-old girl into the bathroom of a residence and engaged in sexual acts with her, even as she protested, according to an affidavit used to obtain the warrants.

The girl's mother learned of the acts Sept. 5 and notified authorities, the affidavit said.