By Palm Beach and Broward Mugshots
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Demetrio Quinones is urged to contact the West Palm Beach Police Department at 561-822-1900 and reference Case No. 2025-0018645. Police say evidence uncovered during the investigation indicates there may be additional victims.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Detectives are asking potential additional victims to come forward following the arrest of a former Palm Beach Juvenile Detention Center employee accused of inappropriate conduct with a 17-year-old girl who was being held at the facility.
Demetrio Quinones, 43, of Port St. Lucie, is charged with lewd or lascivious touching and lewd or lascivious written solicitation of a 16- or 17-year-old by a person 24 or older.
TEEN WAS IN CUSTODY AT JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER
According to an arrest affidavit, the alleged offenses occurred between July 24 and October 9, 2025, while Quinones was employed at the Palm Beach Juvenile Detention Center.
Investigators said the victim began speaking with Quinones about personal struggles while she was being held at the facility. According to the affidavit, Quinones allegedly used those conversations to gain her trust before their interactions became s3xual in nature.
The teenager told detectives that Quinones wrote and typed s3xually explicit notes for her. She reportedly became uncomfortable but felt that rejecting him was difficult because he was an adult in a position of authority over her.
According to investigators, the girl eventually wrote Quinones a letter saying she wanted their interactions to remain professional.
She also accused Quinones of inappropriately touching her on multiple occasions.
LETTER DISCOVERED INSIDE THE FACILITY
The investigation began in December 2025 after another youth reportedly discovered a typed letter containing s3xually explicit material directed toward the teenager.
Detectives determined that youths housed at the facility had restricted computer access and could not have created or printed a document like the one that was discovered.
The victim later identified Quinones in a photographic lineup and confirmed that he had given her the letter, according to the affidavit.
Investigators subsequently arranged a recorded telephone call between the victim and Quinones. During the conversation, Quinones allegedly acknowledged remembering her, discussed potentially seeing her in the future and repeatedly suggested that they needed to speak privately.
EMPLOYEES REPORTED UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR AROUND GIRLS
Several detention-center employees reportedly told investigators that Quinones frequently spent time with female youths, sometimes speaking with them privately or bringing them books, doughnuts and cupcakes.
Another former inmate reportedly told investigators that she had seen Quinones hugging girls at the facility and standing behind them while they bent down.
According to the affidavit, Quinones was notified in October 2025 that he was the subject of a separate internal investigation involving allegations unrelated to the 17-year-old. He was placed on administrative duty and prohibited from having contact with youths.
Quinones resigned from his position several days later.
An arrest warrant was approved on July 7, 2026, and Quinones was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on July 8.
POLICE BELIEVE THERE MAY BE MORE VICTIMS
West Palm Beach police announced that evidence uncovered during the continuing investigation indicates additional minors may have been victimized.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim or who possesses information involving Quinones is encouraged to contact the West Palm Beach Police Department at 561-822-1900 and reference Case No. 2025-0018645.
Information may be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477).
The investigation remains ongoing.
All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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