Reginald Vest, registered sex offender, accused of inappropriately touching girl in St. Lucie County

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A registered sex offender accused of inappropriately touching a young girl between October 2004 and June 2008 was arrested Thursday on a felony sex-related charge, according to an affidavit released Friday.

Reginald Henry Vest, 56, was arrested on a lewd or lascivious molestation offender 18 or older, victim under 12 charge.

St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office officials began investigating after the girl identified as the victim disclosed during a deposition that Vest touched her inappropriately when she lived in Fort Pierce.

On July 5, the girl, now 14, told sheriff's investigators that Vest "frequently" touched her inappropriately. She said she was between 6 and 10 years old when the incidents occurred.

Vest was a registered sexual offender at the time, the affidavit states.

She said she was trying to forget the incidents, but said it happened more than once, but less than 20 times over a few years.

Vest also was arrested on a violation of probation charge.