Registered sex offender jailed on new charges

A registered sex offender from Davie will remain in jail without bond on charges of molesting two teenage girls less than three months after his release fromcustody last fall.

Michael Edward Leverett, 55, formally pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual battery on a minor, unlawful sexual activity and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Leverett, who is accused of pressuring a 17-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl into having sexual contact with him, put up no argument with prosecutors who asked Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer to keep him in custody without bond.

Leverett pleaded guilty to charges of sexual battery on a minor in 2008 and sen Leverett tenced to

threeyear prison term followed by involuntary civil commitment. Following his prison term, he was sent to a sexually violent predator program operated by the Department of Children and Families, then went to the Florida Civil Commitment Center in Arcadia.

He was released on Oct. 8 with an order that he continue to receive treatment and stay away fromminors.

Prosecutors say he had sex with the 17-year-old girl over the Thanksgiving weekend and the younger girl on multiple occasions between Nov. 13 and Jan. 2. He was arrested Jan. 4.

Assistant State Attorney Katya Pisman on Tuesday filed a notice of intent to have Leverett declared a habitual offender, which would limit any leniency he would receive at sentencing if he is convicted of the new offenses. Even without habitual offender status, he faces a maximum term of life in prison.

His next is April 8.

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rolmeda@sunsentinel. com, 954-356-4457, Twitter @SSCourts