MIAMI – A 43-year-old man was arrested by Miami police Wednesday on a charge of sexual battery on a victim 12-17.
According to the suspect’s arrest report, the incident occurred back on Jan. 14.
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Miami police said Jerome Eugene Williams, of Miami, and the 17-year-old victim are acquaintances and the victim reached out to him that day and asked him to pick her up and take her to a nearby store.
But when Williams picked the teen up, he told her he “wanted to show her something,” before taking her to the store, the arrest report stated.
According to the report, Williams drove the victim to the area of Miami Bay at Northeast 39th Street and Sixth Avenue, which allows beach access, and began to touch the victim’s breasts, saying “Come on baby. We can do this.”
Police said the victim pleaded with Williams to stop, but he didn’t comply, digitally penetrating her and only stopping once she began to cry.
The victim told police that she then received a call from a friend and told Williams that they wanted her to return home, at which point he drove her home.
According to the report, Williams admitted to detectives that he has met up with the victim about three times and that he would pick her up and take her places.
Police said he also admitted to making an “advance” on the victim and hugging her on their last interaction, but denied ever placing his hands inside her clothing.
He also claimed that the victim told him she was 21, authorities said.
Regardless, statutory rape is a “strict liability statute” in Florida, meaning defendants cannot argue in court that the alleged victim lied about their age.
According to the report, Williams told police he has not spoken to the teen since January when he discovered she was underage.
As of Thursday, he remained held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond.