North Port man accused of kidnapping, drugging, sexual battering teen has violent past
NORTH PORT, Fla. (WFLA) — David Bunn, 37, of North Port is being held without bond in the Sarasota County Jail, accused of kidnapping, drugging, and sexually battering a teenage girl.
North Port police said Bunn met the victim through social media and used the ridesharing service Lyft to take her to his home.
Police said the teen’s concerned parents were able to find an address by going through her online search history. That address brought authorities to Bunn’s front door.
Bunn initially said the girl wasn’t at his home, but officers later found her there on his bed. By that point, she had been there for about a day and a half, according to police. The girl said Bunn would not let her leave.
“Who knows what could’ve happened. She says that she was given alcohol, was confused, and that a lot of bad things happened. Who knows how long that could have potentially gone on,” said NPPD Chief of Staff Josh Taylor. “It is hard to keep tabs on everything that our kids are doing online. They have their phones, it is literally a window into their world and other peoples’ worlds. You have to be as diligent as you possibly can because there are bad people out there looking to take advantage of people and specifically kids,” he said.
The ridesharing service Bunn used to get the teen to his home doesn’t allow underaged riders without an adult. We contacted Lyft asking them how this could have happened and what is being done to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“Safety is fundamental to Lyft. The behavior described is reprehensible and has no place in the Lyft community or anywhere in society. Upon learning of this incident, we permanently banned the ride requester’s profile from the Lyft platform, and we are actively assisting law enforcement with their investigation,” a Lyft spokesperson said in a statement emailed to 8 On Your Side.
Court records show this isn’t Bunn’s first run-in with law enforcement. He has been charged in the past with battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Both alleged crimes involved women, according to court records.
In one case, a court records show a woman told police Bunn struck her with a vase. In another case, court records show a woman told police Bunn fired a gun in her direction when she was packing up her belongings to leave his home. That case is set to go to trial next month.
Police said the circumstances in this latest case give them reason to believe Bunn may have other victims.
If you have any information, you are urged to call the North Port Police Department at 941-429-7300.
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