A Gulf Breeze man was arrested late Tuesday night and is currently facing 15 sexual relates charges.
Harold Mitchell Merchant III, 38, was arrested and charged with five counts of lewd and lascivious behavior victim 12 to 16, five counts of lewd and lascivious behavior victim 12 to 16, offender 18 or older, and five counts of lewd and lascivious behavior offender 18 or older and victims under 16.
Merchant is facing allegations made back on Aug. 17, 2011 regarding events that occurred from 1997 to 2011.
He has been released after posting a $37,500 bond.
According to the arrest warrant, Merchant allegedly exposed himself to the victims and called them "Martain brains" on four or five occasions.
One victim acknowledged in a written statement, "I never told anyone about this because I was scared to, I don't know what would happen or what he would do to me if I did, I don't know what else to do anymore, I need to get out of the house and so does (name redacted). Please get us help."
Merchant is alleged to have grab one victim almost every other day and another incident alleges he started touching one victim against the skin when they were doing the dishes.
He is even alleged to have grabbed a victim by the throat as well as kicking and hitting them.
Back on July 24 of this year Merchant is believed to have written what investigators consider as some sort of an apology.
"I have never been perfect. I am a human who makes mistakes in life. I can tell you this; I have realized my problems and understand the resentment you have towards me. I know we have had such great times too. You guys left, you left because you needed to. I understand. Please know that I am sorry and I have changed. I feel God in my heart now and life is too short to go on this way. Please, please give me a chance to prove this to you. Forever Love, Mitchell."
During an interview on Aug. 22 of this year, Merchant told detectives that two of the victims and one's current boyfriend have a lot to do with him being listed in the case as the suspect of physical and sexual abuse.
He denied the allegations of sexual abuse and denied every touching the victims inappropriately.
Merchant stated he only motioned to his groin area when referring to "Martian brains" but never exposed himself to the alleged victims.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa man faces 15 sex-related charges