A 20-year-old Florida man, who is accused of sexually assaulting a child, is now charged with assaulting a deputy while handcuffed and being questioned, Broward Sheriff's Office confirmed.
Samuel Austin Shirk was arrested on Sunday at a Fort Lauderdale address and booked into the Broward County Jail at about 2:20 p.m. According to the sheriff's office, he allegedly committed "sexual assault and lewd and lascivious molestation on a young child while staying with the child and the child's mother" over a period of several months this year.
He is currently facing ten charges, including sexual assault on a person under 12 years of age, lewd and lascivious molestation, video voyeurizm, and displaying a firearm, among others, records show.
Investigators said that the sexual assaults were committed over several months this 2022. When the victim's family discovered what was happening, they contacted the Broward Sheriff's Special Victims Unit on Saturday, which was followed by an investigation.
According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, Shirk was questioned by detectives at the Sheriff's Office. He then requested to use the restroom; he was handcuffed and escorted by a deputy. However, after using the toilet and reentering the holding cell while handcuffed, Shirk attacked a BSO deputy. She screamed and asked for help. A detective rushed to rescue the deputy and then immediately put Shirk in a holding cell.
Due to the attack on the deputy, Shirk faces additional charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer, attempt to escape, and obstructing or depriving an officer of means of protection or communication, according to jail records.
Shirk remains in the Broward County Jail without bond. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Detectives are still concerned there may be other child victims in the community. Anyone with information is asked to contact Special Victims Unit Detective Vanessa Encina at 954-321-4689. Anonymous tips can also be given to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters can also call **TIPS (8477) from any cellphone in the United States or submit a tip through the SaferWatch App.
