Arrest made in Clearwater bus stop attack | News

CLEARWATER, Florida -- Pinellas County deputies have arrested a man suspected of attacking and sexually battering a 17-year-old girl who was headed to her bus stop last month.

DNA evidence led to the arrest of 28-year-old Dustin Kennedy, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Kennedy is suspected of grabbing the 17-year-old as she walked to her bus stop. Deputies say he choked her and dragged her to a nearby ditch, where he sexually battered her. He also allegedly stole her two cellphones. Deputies recovered the phones when they arrested Kennedy on Wednesday, January 2 at the Goodwill facility he was living in.

Kennedy has prior convictions for burglary and grand theft in Hillsborough County and was living at the Goodwill facility under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. Deputies say he did not know the victim.

He is charged with sexual battery, attempted felony murder, strong arm robbery, and kidnapping.