Son of Late Rep. Bill Young Charged in Florida Teen Exploitation Case
2h
Developing
1
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida has arrested 38‑year‑old Patrick Rainey Young, son of the late longtime Republican congressman Bill Young, on charges tied to alleged sexual exploitation of a 15‑year‑old girl. Investigators say Young met the teen while working the scoreboard at his son’s baseball game at Seminole High School, then allegedly made sexual comments about her body and gave her alcohol and nicotine. According to the sheriff’s Crimes Against Children Unit, Young and the girl continued interacting at games and over Instagram, where they allegedly discussed sexual favors and nude photos in exchange for money and food, and Young allegedly paid $300 after receiving at least one nude image. He is charged with soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using an electronic device, harmful communication to a minor, and two counts of possession of child pornography, and is being held in the Pinellas County Jail on $10,000 bond. The case underscores ongoing concerns about adults in youth‑sports settings using access to minors and social media to groom and exploit children, regardless of their political or family pedigree.