Williston man arrested, charged with unlawful sexual activity with two minors
Mugshot of Rodriguez courtesy of LCSO.
On February 4, 2023, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Criminal Investigations Division opened an investigation into allegations that 68 year-old Juan Rodriguez, of Williston, Florida, had engaged in unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The complainant reported that a child confided information to her that Rodriguez had been sexually abusing her for several years.
LCSO Detective S. Kilian, assisted by the agency's Child Protection Team, discovered, through a series of interviews with the victim, that Rodriguez had engaged in sexual intercourse with the child, and he had also sexually victimized a second child.
Detective Kilian’s investigation found probable cause that two children had been victimized by Rodriguez and placed him under arrest on Feb. 23, 2023. He was booked into the Levy County Detention Bureau, charged with two counts of capital sexual battery of a victim under the age of 12, and three counts of lewd and lascivious battery of a victim under the age of 16. His bond was set at $800,000.
"This case was solved when an adult gained a child’s trust, listened to them, and took the appropriate action," said LCSO Lt. Scott Tummond. "Parents, guardians and/or any adult who has gained the trust of a child are encouraged to monitor who the child’s friends are and stay engaged with that child’s online activity."
"I commend the actions of this person - who heard this child’s complaint and contacted the sheriff’s office," said Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum. "We are thankful the investigation ended the suffering of these victims and resulted in the arrest of the suspect."