The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mark Ibasfalean, 58, of Cortez, Sept. 16 on a charge of sexual battery against a person 12-18 years of age.
Manatee County clerk’s records indicate that a 16-year-old said she was sexually battered by Ibasfalean when she was 12 years old. Ibasfalean at the time was 54.
The alleged incident occurred at a home in Cortez where a relative of Ibasfalean resided.
Conviction of the felony could result in a life prison sentence.
Ibasfalean was not in custody as of Oct. 1, according to the MCSO. Bond had been set Sept. 29 at $100,000 with supervised release, including no contact with anyone under age 18.
Arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Avenue West.
— Chrisann Allen