Staff report

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Robert Jacob Wilkerson, 51, was arrested on September 9 for sexual battery and lewd or lascivious molestation of a young girl.

The investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office commenced in June 2024 after the case, initially reported in another county, was found to have incidents occurring within Alachua County. The victim was in preschool when the incidents allegedly started, extending over several years, and the allegations surfaced when the victim confessed to a physician about experiencing sexual abuse during her early years.

The victim accused Wilkerson of reportedly touching her “private areas” and once removing her clothing; she recounted being alone with Wilkerson in the car at times and feeling pressured to express affection towards him. She claimed Wilkerson threatened harm if she disclosed the incidents to anyone.

In December 2024, a detective conversed with Wilkerson, a long-distance truck driver, via phone. Wilkerson acknowledged knowing the victim but denied any inappropriate touching. A sworn complaint was filed in January, leading to an arrest warrant for Wilkerson on August 14.

Two siblings of the victim reportedly corroborated parts of her story.

Wilkerson faces charges of sexual battery and lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years of age. His record includes charges for traffic offenses, domestic battery, and issuing worthless checks from 2002 to 2009, resulting in five misdemeanor convictions. At a hearing held yesterday, Judge Robert Groeb ordered him to be held without bail pending trial.

Articles about arrests derive from law enforcement agencies’ reports. The charges mentioned are from the arrest report and/or court records and remain allegations. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.