MARION COUNTY, Florida — A 22-year-old man has been arrested on multiple charges related to lewd acts with a minor, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.Edward Franklin Atkins, of Marion County, Florida, was taken into custody on December 4, 2024, by Major Crimes Detective Henrik Osthed. Atkins faces three counts of lewd or lascivious battery, lewd and lascivious molestation, two counts of traveling to meet a minor for sexual activity, and four counts of interfering with the custody of a minor, according to a statement from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.The investigation began on November 22, 2024, when deputies responded to a dispute between Atkins and his tenants. During the investigation, deputies learned of Atkins’ alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old child. Detective Osthed’s investigation revealed that Atkins had been meeting the child in the parking lot of a business on SE 53rd Avenue. Video evidence from the business owner confirmed these meetings occurred during the early morning hours of December 1-3, showing Atkins engaging in lewd physical contact with the child.On December 4, Detective Osthed was informed that Atkins and the victim were in the same parking lot. Detective Peterson responded and found the minor victim straddling Atkins in a vehicle. Atkins was arrested and later admitted to meeting the child for sexual activity, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.Atkins was booked into the Marion County Jail and is being held on a $70,000 bond.