Convenience store clerk accused of relationship with 14-year-old customer

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (CBS12) — A convenience store clerk is accused of sexual activities with a teenage girl more than 20 years younger than him.

The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department launched their investigation after receiving an anonymous tip about a relationship between a 14-year-old girl and the suspect. The investigating officer reported he first met with the girl, where he asked about how she knew the suspect. She initially denied knowing him, according to police, but after learning he worked at the 7-Eleven on PGA Boulevard, she conceded to having spoken to him there and said she had not known his last name.

“Which one of us is in trouble?” she reportedly asked after the officer told her they knew the pair had been text messaging, the probable cause affidavit stated. The officer stated she then said they had kissed but never had sex or any sexual contact. She explained that she did not know how old the suspect, identified as Jesse Pardo, was, but indicated she thought he was in his 20s; and added that he never asked how old she was, the police department statement indicated.

Additionally, the affidavit pointed to the text exchanges between the girl and a contact referred to as ‘7/11man.’ Over two pages, it quoted sexually explicit conversations found in the chat. The police department also searched the young teen’s bedroom where it collected evidence that was later sent for DNA analysis.

According to the affidavit, Padro explained during questioning that when she came into his store to buy vapes, the identification she provided reflected that she was 21 years old when scanned. Padro told the investigator he did not believe she looked younger than that.

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The affidavit stated he admitted they would hang out together and message each other. He denied having sex with the victim, saying they had “fooled around,” it continued. During the interview, according to the officer, Padro started asking how old she was and said he would not answer any other questions until he knew. The officer reportedly replied that the victim was under 21 years old, without giving a specific age. At that point, the officer noted, Padro asked for a lawyer and ended the interview.

“It should be noted that once I told Padro (the victim) was not 21, he never asked how old she really was,” the officer wrote.

Padro was booked on one count of lewd and lascivious battery of a child between 12 and 16 years old.