Florida Man Arrested for Sexual Assault
KENT COUNTY, Mich: In cooperation with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (Florida), investigators arrested a 49-year-old Florida man on multiple counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct involving minors. Shannon Guay was arrested by KCSO and Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office detectives in Punta Gorda, Florida on May 10th. Mr. Guay has been charged by the Kent County Prosecutors’ office in three separate cases, with six counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st degree, and seven counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd degree. CSC 1st is punishable by a maximum of life in prison, CSC 2nd carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
These charges involve five separate victims, who were all minors at the time of the offenses, and the incidents occurred at three different locations in Kent County. The investigation started in March of 2023 when a Plainfield Township business started receiving concerning voicemails from an individual regarding allegations of past assaults possibly at that location or involving a past employee. Through the investigation, detectives learned that some of the victims were in fact sexually assaulted while attending the business under the name of Aerials & Baranis Gymnastics. This business was located on Coit Ave near Plainfield and the alleged incidents took place around the years of 2006-2008. Mr. Guay was employed at the gymnastics center and served in the role of a coach.
Guay was a resident of Kent County until around 2010 but has since moved around the country. He is currently a Florida resident and will be awaiting extradition to the Kent County Jail. The case remains open as investigators continue to look through evidence, and given the fact Mr. Guay was a coach, there is the possibility of additional individuals who may have information about this case or other cases.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault there are many resources in Kent County willing to help. Some resources are the Grand Rapids YWCA or the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County. Reach out to the YWCA 24-Hour Confidential Helpline | 616.454.YWCA (616.454.9922). Also, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent Country at 616.336.5160.
Media availability today from 10:30AM-11:00AM at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff LaJoye-Young & Prosecutor Becker will be present for interviews
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