Alachua Man Jailed for Attempted Sexual Battery of a Child

ALACHUA – A 33-year-old Alachua man was arrested on Friday, June 7, 2024, and charged with attempted sexual battery with a victim under 12 years old and lewd or lascivious exhibition with a victim under 16.

The victim, who is under the age of 12, told a family member about the incident with Edward Dontrell Martin in late March and was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center on April 4. She reportedly said that Martin had touched her and had exposed himself to her in 2022.

The victim also said she pushed him away and told him to leave after which he allegedly said that if she told anyone, something bad would happen and it would be her fault. The victim was able to pinpoint the incident date by referring to a family vacation that happened close to the incident.

Martin has one felony conviction and one misdemeanor conviction. The State Attorney’s Office filed a motion to hold him without bail until trial, but Judge David Kreider disagreed that there were no release conditions that would keep the community safe.

Kreider set bail at $175,000 with conditions that Martin be fitted with a GPS monitor before release, have no contact with minors and possess no weapons or firearms.

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