Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Samuel Antonio Mitchell, 39, is facing a charge of lewd or lascivious conduct after authorities say he allegedly touched a child inappropriately while the child was sleeping.
According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy, the victim told an adult that Mitchell touched her underneath her underwear as she slept. The child reportedly said Mitchell stopped abruptly and ran into another room.
The adult told deputies she had stepped away to use the bathroom, and when she returned, Mitchell entered the room with her. A few minutes later, the juvenile reportedly told the adult that Mitchell had touched her inappropriately.
Based on the timing described in the report, the deputy concluded that Mitchell may have heard the toilet flush and quickly left the room where the child had been sleeping.
After being read his Miranda rights, Mitchell denied touching the child in any way. He reportedly told the deputy he had smoked marijuana earlier that evening and had consumed two “Buzz Ball” drinks. He also reportedly said he no longer uses other drugs, but then said he had smoked “molly” four days before the incident. According to the report, Mitchell later changed that account, saying he had smoked “molly” two days before the incident, before stating that he had not used molly in two years and had instead smoked cocaine four days and two days before the incident. Mitchell said he did not believe he was intoxicated at the time, though the deputy reported smelling alcohol on his breath; Mitchell said he had only been holding a “Buzz Ball.”
Mitchell reportedly claimed the adult and the child were lying in an effort to get him in trouble. The deputy noted in the report, however, that it did not appear reasonable that both would wake from sleep at the same time and fabricate the same allegation against him.
Mitchell has been charged with lewd or lascivious conduct. Court and jail records list 17 prior non-violent felony convictions and eight prior non-violent misdemeanor convictions. He has served seven state prison sentences and was most recently released in January 2025. Mitchell is being held without bail while awaiting a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office seeking to detain him without bail until trial; if the judge denies that motion, bail will be set at the hearing.
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.
