Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This morning, 36-year-old Riley Washington Jr. was arrested and charged with groping a young woman the night before; he is also suspected in several incidents where college-aged women were groped under their skirts in the midtown area.

The initial report occurred in July, where a victim described being approached by a black male resembling Washington, who engaged her in conversation before “grabbing” her “butt” as she turned away; he then fled the scene. On August 30, a similar male fitting Washington’s description was reported reaching under the skirt of a female college student outside her apartment and grabbing her genitals; when confronted, he ran away. The victim pursued him and observed him getting into a pickup truck.

On September 4, another college student reported being grabbed on the buttocks from behind by a black male matching Washington’s description, who then fled northbound. On September 6, a student reported an incident with a black male, also matching Washington’s description, lifting her skirt while she walked.

Around 2:40 a.m. on September 11, a female victim, locked out of her apartment while returning home in the midtown area, was approached by a black male who suddenly appeared and asked about a “party.” She informed him there was no party, at which point he grabbed her arms and sexually assaulted her with his fingers. She managed to push him away, prompting his escape.

A Gainesville Police Department (GPD) Detective observed that the descriptions provided by victims were remarkably similar, and all incidents occurred in the same region; additionally, it was noted that posts on UF’s parent forums detailed instances of daughters being followed or chased over recent months by a similarly described black male.

At 3:04 a.m. on September 11, a female college student contacted the University of Florida Police Department, reporting a dark-colored pickup truck, driven by a black male, circling three times; she described the truck as “creaky” and remained concerned as she continued to hear the sound after entering her apartment.

Traffic cameras near the caller’s apartment showed the tag on the “creaky” truck, and it is registered to Washington; the GPD Detective noted that he has a history of stalking women since 2019. The detective also reviewed body camera footage from a July 2025 traffic stop of the truck, confirming that the truck’s owner matched the description provided by the victims.

Surveillance cameras from the area of the September 11 incident reportedly show the victim walking home while a dark-colored pickup truck drives quickly by; the front bumper on the pickup truck can be seen hanging down, and detectives observed that Washington’s truck also has a front bumper hanging down.

The detective noted that Washington’s tag has been recorded frequently in the midtown area, and the truck was seen on the evening of September 11 (the night after the September 11 early-morning incident), driving through the midtown area, “specifically the NW and SW quadrants of Gainesville, where the reported sexual assaults have been occurring.”

At about 1:30 a.m. on September 12, Washington reportedly parked his truck in the 1800 block of NW 5th Avenue and was seen hiding in the bushes nearby a short time later. When Washington saw officers and a GPD K-9 unit, he allegedly fled and was apprehended when he tried to cross University Avenue onto campus.

A resident of the home where Washington allegedly hid in the bushes told officers that she has been hearing noises outside her bedroom window for about a week, and once she saw the face of a black male in her bedroom window and described the shape of the face as “oval.”

Post Miranda, Washington was reportedly unable to provide an explanation for his behavior and eventually admitted to all of the incidents described above. He reportedly said he needs help and took responsibility for his actions.

The detective noted that additional charges are expected to be filed, and she believes that there may be numerous unreported incidents involving Washington. Both GPD and UFPD urge anyone who may have had a similar encounter with Washington or has information related to this case to come forward.

Washington has been charged with sexual battery, stalking, and prowling. He has one local felony conviction from 2009, but his full criminal history is currently unavailable. Bail will be set Saturday morning.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.