Alachua Co-Man Arrested for Sexual Battery

A 33-year-old Newberry, FL man was questioned by the Gainesville Police Department on Thursday and arrested shortly after for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl.

According to police, the victim said the man supposedly forced her to engage in sexual relations during spring break of 2010. She said the acts continued in her home while her mother was apparently away through Mother’s Day weekend of 2011.

The girl’s mother supposedly found out about the alleged situation after the victim said she was contemplating suicide. According to police reports, the man allegedly gave her a cell phone for her birthday and $40 cash on a separate occasion, which her mother supposedly knew nothing about.

Another family member of the victim evidently told investigators that the man stopped by the house unannounced and would spend lengthy periods of time upstairs where the girl was.

During questioning, the man allegedly told police he would stop by the house, but never went upstairs.

The man remained in the Alachua County jail Friday.

This case is a good example of why it is imperative to hire experienced Sex Crimes counsel even prior to being arrested for any sex crime, like sexual battery. Even if there is little to no evidence to substantiate the alleged victim’s claims, police will most likely perform a one-sided investigation that is directed at you with one goal, obtaining enough information to make an arrest. Many times people accused of sex crimes think that talking to police will help prove their innocence; however, law enforcement will stop at nothing, even using tricks to confuse you, in an effort to obtain some kind of incriminating or alleged admission statements that later will be used against you with the hopes of obtaining a conviction.

Contacting an experienced Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton as soon as you have been contacted or even arrested is the best thing you can do for your defense. Upon hearing the facts of your case we can start our pre-trial investigation to gather any useful information that can be presented to prosecutor’s before formal charges have been filed. The prosecution can choose to file charges within 21 days of your arrest. It is sometimes helpful to work with the prosecutor’s office on charging decisions, either to dismiss charges or to set the stage for a much lower offense, which is another reason to retain legal counsel immediately. Many times weak or conflicting evidence, such as any inconsistencies in the accuser’s claim, can lead to prosecutor’s dismissing charges or charging far less serious crimes.

If you have been arrested in Gainesville, Alachua County or anywhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call our Gainesville office at 352-264-7800 or reach us toll-free at 866-608-5529.