Willie Dennis - Repeat Sex Offender - 72 years old

A registered sex offender has been in the attempted abduction of a 13-year-old Fort Myers girl.

Willie Dennis, 72, was charged with kidnapping-inflict bodily harm or terrorize victim and battery- touch or strike Wednesday after Fort Myers police received a tip as to where a vehicle matching the description of that used in the attempt could be found.

Fort Myers police began their investigation Friday after receiving a call concerning the attempted abduction. The 13-year old girl told investigators she was walking in the 3400 block of Fowler Street when a man pulled up in a vehicle and told her to get in the car. The child refused and the man got out of his car and grabbed her. A witness yelled at the would-be kidnapped to let her go. The man then fled in his vehicle without the girl.

The victim provided police with a detailed description of the suspect and his car.

On Wednesday, the Fort Myers Police Department received information that the vehicle involved in the crime was in front of a house at 2154 Highland Ave. Detectives responded to the home and the 2004 white Saturn matched the victim's description, including the Obama bumper sticker.

Police identified the owner of the car as Dennis, who is a registered sex offender who had been convicted of sexual battery on a child under 12 years of age, officials said.

After further investigation police arrested Dennis who was transported to the Lee County Jail.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"
.........Sarah Tofte