Fort Myers Beach firefighter accused of having sexual relationship with minor

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A Fort Myers Beach firefighter is accused of having a sexual relationship with a minor.

Stephen Michael Reynaert, 28, of 27035-201 Serrano Way in Bonita Springs, faces two counts of sexual assault where the accused is a custodian and the victim is ages 12-18.

Reynaert was having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl for a year, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said. It was the girl’s mother who told authorities, said deputies, who were notified by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

“The sexual incidents began when the child was 13 years old and continued until as recently as several weeks ago,” Lee County investigators said in a statement.

Reynaert didn’t deny the allegations when he spoke to a Florida Department of Children and Families investigator and said he would seek help. He was booked into the Lee County jail Thursday afternoon and was released Friday on $75,000 bond. A judge on Friday barred Reynaert from any contact with the girl or other minors.

Reynaert has been with the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District for eight years, according to a department annual report. He was listed as an engineer with the department, a position he was promoted to in 2014, the report said.

The Florida Department of Children and Families is looking into the case. Reynaert wasn’t involved in any prior DCF investigations, officials said.