A 33-year-old Ocala man was arrested after a child accused him of committing sexual battery.
On February 8, an Ocala Police Department officer responded to a call from a mother who stated that her 10-year-old child had been sexually battered by Darrin Lavorin Charles.
On February 15, the victim was brought to Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection for a forensic interview. According to the victim, the incident occurred when the victim was five years old.
On the day of the incident, the victim wanted to play a video game. In order to play it, Charles allegedly forced the victim to perform a sexual act on him. Charles then allegedly proceeded to force himself onto the victim.
The victim stated that Charles threatened to kill the victim, along with the victim’s family, if the incident was ever reported to anyone. When the victim recently informed a family member of the incident, that family member notified the victim’s mother.
On Tuesday, April 19, Charles was arrested by an OPD detective. During an interview with the detective, Charles denied the victim’s allegations.
Charles initially agreed to take a polygraph test, but the appointment was later cancelled and he refused to discuss the matter any further with law enforcement.
Charles was transported to Marion County Jail where he was later released on $25,000 bond. He is facing a capital felony charge for sexual battery of a victim under 12 years old.
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, May 24 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.