20-Year-Old Accused Of Molesting Young Girl Then Attacked Deputies

Samuel Austin Shirk Of Oakland Park In Custody After Trying To Escape

Samuel Austin Shirk Of Oakland Park In Custody After Trying To Escape

OAKLAND PARK, FL (Boca Post) — A 20-year-old man has been charged with several sex crimes after being accused of molesting a young girl.

Broward Sheriff’s Office released the following alert Tuesday afternoon:

Detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested a 20-year-old man on Sunday on charges of sexually assaulting a minor.

According to investigators, Samuel Shirk, who goes by his middle name Austin, committed sexual assault and lewd and lascivious molestation on a young child while staying with the child and the child’s mother. Detectives believe the incidents, which also include video voyeurism, occurred over a span of several months in 2022.

The victim’s family contacted BSO on Saturday, July 2, regarding the allegations, and BSO’s Special Victims Unit immediately commenced an investigation. BSO’s Oakland Park District deputies arrested Shirk without incident on Sunday.

After being questioned by detectives at the BSO Public Safety Building, Shirk asked to use the restroom. During the trip to the restroom, while handcuffed, Shirk attacked a BSO deputy. As the deputy screamed for help, a BSO detective came to her aid. Both BSO employees were able to subdue Shirk and place him in a holding cell. For this incident, Shirk is facing additional charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, attempt to escape, and obstructing or depriving an officer of means of protection or communication.

Based on Shirk’s involvement with children, detectives are concerned there may be additional victims in the community. Anyone with information is asked to contact BSO Special Victims Unit detective Vanessa Encina at 954-321-4689. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).

Shirk is currently in the custody of the BSO jail for the following charges:

• 2 counts of BATTERY ON OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER, EMT ETC
• 2 counts of OBSTRUCT-DEPRIVE OF MEANS PROTECT OR COMMUNICATION
• 2 counts of ESCAPE/ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE
• LEWD/LASC MOLEST VIC LESS 12 YOA OFNDR 18 YOA OLDER
• SEX ASLT BY OVER 18 YOA SEX BAT VICTM UNDER 12 YOA
• VIDEO VOYEURISM YOUNGER THAN 19 YOA 1ST OFF
• USE DISPLAY ETC FIREARM DURING FELONY