Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a troubling development, 19-year-old Devin Christopher DeCoursey finds himself facing serious legal challenges following his arrest on charges of lewd or lascivious molestation involving a preschooler. Additional charges for possession of cocaine have been levied against him, despite already being on probation for three prior criminal cases.

The investigation, led by the Gainesville Police Department (GPD), revealed disturbing allegations against DeCoursey, who reportedly engaged in inappropriate conduct with a preschool-age child in early September. The incident came to light on September 14 when a third party reported to law enforcement that the child had recounted an incident where DeCoursey allegedly touched her over her clothing. Initially, officers interviewed DeCoursey but opted to release him as they sought further evidence.

Subsequent interviews with the child, conducted on September 18 by the Child Advocacy Center, painted a more harrowing picture. During the session, the child expressed fear and indicated that DeCoursey had caused her physical pain, particularly in her genital area. These interviews yielded positive findings of sexual molestation or abuse, intensifying the case against DeCoursey.

Despite being requested to discuss the matter on October 6 at GPD Headquarters, DeCoursey reportedly refused. However, by October 16, law enforcement had gathered sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for charging him with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation. Officers from the Gun Violence Unit apprehended him near the Food Max store on E. University Avenue.

During the arrest, a search led to the discovery of a plastic bag containing coins and approximately 1.4 grams of marijuana. More concerning was the find of a second bag hidden in his pants leg, holding about 2.6 grams of cocaine. When questioned post-Miranda, DeCoursey claimed that he was holding the crack cocaine for someone else but maintained it was intended for personal use. Notably, no charges were filed against him for marijuana possession.

Post Miranda on the lewd or lascivious molestation charges, DeCoursey reportedly denied touching the child in her private areas or hurting her at any time.

DeCoursey has been charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and possession of a controlled substance. He has juvenile convictions between 2020 and 2024 and four adult felony convictions (two violent). He is on probation in three separate cases on charges of possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent (committed when he was 17 but charged as an adult), battery by a person detained in a jail facility, battery of a detention staff member, and property damage. He was arrested in December 2024 for allegedly stealing a vehicle and drug possession, but those charges were later dropped, although he was on probation at the time of that arrest.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered DeCoursey held without bail on the probation violation cases until they are resolved, and she ordered him held without bail on the molestation charges, pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing. Judge Miller-Jones also set bail at $10,000 for the drug possession charge.

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.