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Florida Sex Offender Attacks Teen on Valentine's Day

2/19/2026

42 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Jermaine Lynn Long, a 44-year-old Florida sex offender, slashed 13-year-old Sullivan Clarke's neck on Valentine’s Day along the Daytona Beach Boardwalk.
Clarke's mother witnessed the attack.
Long was released from jail four days earlier.
Long faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Andrew Walker, a local worker, said he was shocked after recognizing Long as the man seen moments before the attack.

History

Historical Context

The Jessica Lunsford Act, enacted in Florida in 2005, established stringent measures for sex offenders following the abduction and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford by a convicted offender. This law mandated a minimum 25-year sentence and lifetime monitoring for certain crimes against minors. The ongoing debate over its effectiveness reflects broader concerns about public safety and the treatment of sex offenders in the U.S.

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Story summary

Jermaine Lynn Long, a 44-year-old Florida sex offender, slashed 13-year-old Sullivan Clarke's neck on Valentine’s Day along the Daytona Beach Boardwalk.
Clarke's mother witnessed the attack.
Long was released from jail four days earlier.
Long faces two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Andrew Walker, a local worker, said he was shocked after recognizing Long as the man seen moments before the attack.

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