Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Charles Strange Jr., 51, currently serving a federal prison sentence, has been charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a minor for incidents that took place while he was living in Gainesville.

The victim recounted to a Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officer that Strange sexually abused her repeatedly for around five years during her childhood, including acts of indecent exposure. She mentioned that he bribed her with gifts to ensure her silence regarding the incidents and promised further shopping trips in exchange for her discretion in the future.

In March, two GPD detectives conducted an interview with Strange at the Coleman federal prison complex in Coleman, Florida. Following a Miranda warning, Strange reportedly admitted to masturbating in the victim’s presence on multiple occasions, though he insisted he “minimized” any direct physical contact. He refuted any deliberate sexual touching but confessed to instructing her to keep quiet about the sexual activities between them.

Strange faces charges of lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12, lewd or lascivious conduct with a victim under 16, and lewd or lascivious exhibition. He is presently serving a 121-month federal sentence related to drug and firearm offenses.

Articles regarding arrests rely on law enforcement agency reports. The charges mentioned come from the arrest report and/or court records and are solely accusations. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.