Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Edgardo Rivera, 71, was arrested yesterday and accused of lewd or lascivious molestation involving a young teenager.
According to the victim’s account, Rivera began touching her inappropriately when she was about 9 or 10 years old. She said the conduct occurred more often when he had been drinking, although she never confronted him. The victim also reported that Rivera applied VapoRub beneath her shirt when she was 11 or 12, and later touched her genitals in a sexual manner while helping her put lotion on her back.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Rivera reportedly described the victim as generally truthful and honest but denied the allegations. He acknowledged applying lotion to her back and initially said he did not touch her elsewhere. Rivera later said he applied the lotion to her “sides, front, and lower back,” demonstrating the area by placing his hands along his own hips. He denied touching her breasts or genitals and said he did not remember the VapoRub incident. Rivera again said he considered the victim truthful and honest while maintaining that he had not touched her inappropriately.
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Rivera faces two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation involving a victim between 12 and 16 years old. His complete criminal record could not be determined because records related to sexual offenses are not posted publicly. The local court system lists only traffic citations. Judge Adam Lee ordered Rivera held without bail while the State Attorney’s Office seeks to keep him jailed without bail through trial. If that request is denied, bail will be addressed at the hearing.
Arrest reports are accounts provided by law enforcement agencies. The charges described are allegations drawn from arrest reports and/or court records. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
