(Sumter County, FL) On November 4, 2025, in a Sumter County courtroom, jurors found 33-year-old Colton Steven Colyer guilty of three counts of Sexual Battery upon a Person under Twelve Years of Age and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child.

Colyer was taken into custody after the rendering of the verdict, where he will remain until his sentencing hearing, which will be scheduled at a later date.  

Back in February of 2024, officials from Snohomish County in Washington contacted investigators in Sumter County regarding a crime that was committed within the jurisdiction of Sumter County, Florida.

Officials from Washington indicated that while investigating a local crime, they became aware of another crime involving the defendant.  Law enforcement then provided recorded interviews of Colyer, along with screen captures and written statements to SCSO detectives.   

Inspector Pamela Warren interviewed the victim who revealed that Colyer had sexually battered them in Sumter County when they were around 6-8 years old. The victim recounted the events in detail, providing a critical timeline that was corroborated by a witness.  The victim was also able to provide copies of messages confronting the defendant approximately 10 years after the crimes occurred, in which Colyer apologized to the victim.

An arrest warrant was issued, and Colyer was eventually arrested in Washington, where he was later transported back to Sumter County to face local charges.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Shelby Senn and Michael Kotsifakis. A sincere thank you to the Mill Creek Police Department in Snohomish County, Washington, for reporting this heinous crime on behalf of the victim, and to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for their continued investigation into this case.

Published on 11/07/2025.