September 29, 2006
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

OFFICIALS SEARCHING FOR CONVICTED SEXUAL OFFENDER 

Officials are seeking the public's help in locating a convicted sex offender who's wanted for violating his probation. Paulo Bettencourt was placed on sexual offender probation after being released from prison in 2003 following his conviction for committing a lewd and lascivious act in the presence of a child under 16 and a lewd and lascivious assault upon a child under 16. Bettencourt also is under investigation for allegations that he inappropriately touched a 12-year-old girl. 

On Monday, Circuit Court Judge J. David Walsh issued an arrest warrant for Bettencourt after his probation officer filed a notice of violation alleging that the defendant violated his curfew and didn't show up for work for several days. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole Office has been searching for Bettencourt to take him into custody, but has been unable to find him. 

Bettencourt could be facing additional criminal charges as well. After investigating recent allegations that the defendant inappropriately touched a girl several times on Aug. 20, the Sheriff's Office filed a complaint affidavit against Bettencourt for four charges of lewd and lascivious molestation on a child between 12 and 16 years old. The affidavit is under review by the State Attorney's Office. Bettencourt is a 47-year-old white man, approximately 5'8" tall and weighing about 170 pounds. He has green eyes and black hair. His last known address was 1139 S. Ridgewood Ave., Apartment 16, Daytona Beach. He may be driving a green Nissan pickup truck or a black Harley Davidson motorcycle. 

Anyone with information about Bettencourt's whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at (386) 248-1777 or probation officer Tom Walker at (386) 947-3520. Anyone with information who prefers to remain anonymous can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at (888) 277-TIPS.