Former Pace student charged with sex crimes

A former Pace High School baseball player has been charged with a dozen sex crimes.

Austin Taylor Collinsworth, 18, was arrested Wednesday and charged with 12 counts of sexual battery on a victim 12 to 15 years old.

According to a report issued by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, Collinsworth befriended the girl last January.  The two attended the same church youth group.  The victim has only been identified as a juvenile female.  The report indicates that the girl stayed overnight at the Collinsworth home, as a friend of Collinsworths' older sister. 

Collinsworth was 17 at the time of the offense, but may be tried as an adult.

Currently, Collinsworth is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail on $170,000 bond.

For more on this story, check out the Aug. 12 edition of the Navarre Press, or subscribe online.