Tampa man arrested after five-year relationship with teen

A 45-year-old Tampa man has been arrested for a sexual relationship with a teenage girl that lasted five years, Hillsborough sheriff's officials said.

Investigators said Leonardo Cuellar (left) met the unidentified girl when she was 12. The sexual relationship started a when she was 13 and continued until she was 18, officials said. The girl is now 19.

The pair exchanged "code handwritten on notes" to plan their encounters, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.

During a telephone conversation with the girl that had been monitored by detectives, deputies said Cuellar admitted to the crimes. Authorities served Cuellar with a warrant around 6:30 p.m. at his home, 4729 Ridge Point Drive.

Officials said he was charged with lewd batttery, unlawful sexual activity with a minor, lewd or lascivious molestation on a minor and lewd or lascivious conduct by a defendant older than 18.

Casey Cora, Times staff writer

[Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office]