Teen faces sexual battery charges

An 18-year-old man was accused of rape. 

Rafael O’Reilly Lerner, of Dr. Phillips, was arrested after someone tipped off a school resource officer regarding a girl who was being victimized, investigators said. 

In a statement, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said O’Reilly Lerner’s alleged methods are “emotionally and physically brutal.”

Investigators said he has sexually assaulted at least three woman, varying from 16 to 19 years old. 

They believe there are more victims. 

“He ingratiates himself to young women, coerces them into sex, becomes extremely violent and videotapes and photographs his victims during sex,” Sheriff’s Office investigators said. “Then he threatens them with exposing those videos and photos publicly and to their parents. Our detectives believe he’s a predator and that this behavior has been going on for some time and escalated over time.” 

Investigators believe this behavior dates back to 2020. 

O’Reilly Lerner is being held at OCSO jail with no bond and is facing multiple sex crimes charges, including sexual battery and false imprisonment. 

Anyone with information on the case is urged to call 407-836-HELP.