Lee County Boy Scout leader accused of inappropriate touching

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A former Boy Scouts volunteer was arrested and is facing a felony charge for inappropriately touching a minor while making repairs to her mother’s home.

Modesto Perez, 55, made sexual advances at the sister of one of Boy Scout pupils, a mother told the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. According to deputy reports, Perez arrived to the Alva home of a kid in his Boy Scout group on June 7 to make repairs to the roof after providing an estimate to the mother.

The Boy Scout and his sister came home from school while those repairs were being made and the sister joined Modesto on the roof to watch him work, according to reports. Modesto is accused of then hugging the girl, patting her behind and kissing her on the head and brushing against her genitals.

Scout Executive Greg Graham with the Southwest Florida Council of Boy Scouts of America said he learned about the alleged incident in June when it was brought to his attention as “a non-Scouting allegation with no substantiated information.”

Modesto was arrested at the Bealls Outlet, located at 9370 Six Mile Cypress Pkwy., around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. He was also removed from the his position with the Boy Scouts Wednesday, Graham said. He is facing one charge for lewd and lascivious activity.

Modesto said the alleged incident was a misunderstanding.

The girl’s mother has asked him to never return to their home, according to deputy reports.

No further information was immediately available.