A 30-year-old Ocala man is behind bars after he was accused of committing sexual offenses against two young girls.
A Marion County Sheriff’s Office detective spoke with the first juvenile victim on Monday, June 16, regarding allegations of sexual abuse in the past. The victim alleged that a man, identified as Christopher Hector Rivera, had sexually battered her “sometime between 2016 and 2017,” according to MCSO.
The sheriff’s office stated that an ensuing investigation revealed that at the time of the alleged sexual abuse, Rivera asked the victim to “play a game under the blankets” while they were lying in bed together. Rivera then allegedly “orally penetrated” the victim with his penis.
According to the victim, she “wiggled hard” to get away from Rivera and ran into her bedroom.
On several other occasions, the victim alleged that Rivera touched her “inappropriately,” which included massages on her back and thighs. The victim further claimed that Rivera made her “jump up and down on his lap” under the pretense that they were “playing a game, according to MCSO.
While conducting the initial investigation, a second juvenile victim reported to the sheriff’s office that Rivera had engaged in inappropriate contact with her. Specifically, the second victim told an MCSO detective that during the incident, Rivera was “cuddling” with her in a bed when she felt his “private part on her butt.”
Both victims alleged that Rivera threatened to “punish” them if they disclosed the alleged abuse to anyone.
On Wednesday, July 2, Rivera was detained by law enforcement and transported to MCSO headquarters for an interview. While speaking with investigators, Rivera allegedly denied the allegations.
Rivera was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with one count of capital sexual battery on a victim younger than 12 years of age and two counts of lewd or lascivious conduct.
“Due to the nature of these crimes, the fact that an additional juvenile victim was already discovered, and other evidence obtained through this investigation, it is possible that Rivera has other victims,” said MCSO in a media release on Thursday, July 3.
If anyone has information regarding other potential victims of Rivera, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office asks that you call 352-732-9111.