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NEWBERRY ‒ A 34-year-old Newberry man has been arrested on felony charges of sexual battery and lewd or lascivious battery after authorities say he inappropriately touched a girl beginning when she was 12 years old.

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office reported that the victim recently disclosed the incidents to family members, who then contacted law enforcement. She told investigators that the inappropriate contact occurred on multiple occasions over a period of years. She explained that she had not spoken up earlier because, as a child, she did not realize the behavior was improper. She also described one incident in which she immediately pulled away after he touched her genitals.

Following the disclosure, deputies opened an investigation and identified Michael D’artagnon Kesselring as the suspect. He was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

Kesselring has been formally charged with sexual battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 18 and lewd or lascivious battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 16. Both are serious felony offenses under Florida law that carry the possibility of lengthy prison terms, mandatory registration as a sex offender, and long-term restrictions on employment and residency if convicted.

Deputies said that after being read his Miranda rights, Kesselring declined to answer questions.

At his first appearance, Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered Kesselring held without bail while the State Attorney’s Office pursues a motion to keep him detained until trial. If the motion is denied, the court will consider bail at a later hearing.

Court records show Kesselring has one prior case in Alachua County. In 2017, he was charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving with alcohol. The DUI charge was later dropped after he completed a deferred prosecution agreement. Adjudication of guilt was withheld on the reckless driving charge.

Kesselring remains in custody at the Alachua County Jail pending the outcome of the State Attorney’s motion and future court proceedings.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Residents and businesses in High Springs will see changes to their utility bills after the City Commission voted Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, to adopt updated water and sewer rates as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

The new rates, approved unanimously by commissioners, keep monthly water service charges steady for most customers but raise sewer base charges significantly and increase costs associated with hydrant meters and new water connections.

Sewer Rates See Largest Jump

The most significant adjustments affect sewer service. Residential customers will see the base monthly charge—including up to 5,000 gallons—rise from $44.05 to $68.30. Commercial and multi-family customers will see their charge increase from $57.29 to $81.54.

Despite the base rate increases, the usage fee for water over 5,000 gallons remains unchanged at $7.96 per 1,000 gallons.

Water Rates Remain Stable for Daily Users

For households and businesses, the structure of tiered water usage charges will remain the same in FY26. The monthly customer charge stays at $15.55, and the four-tier usage schedule—ranging from $3.12 per 1,000 gallons for the first 3,000 gallons to $4.15 per 1,000 gallons for usage above 15,000 gallons—will not change.

Hydrant Meter Costs Increase

Contractors and others who rely on temporary hydrant meters will face steep increases. The city will begin charging $125 for installation and removal, a service that was previously free. Deposits will jump from $100 to $500, and the monthly base charge will rise from $15.55 to $40.00. The per-gallon usage rate for hydrant meter water will also increase, from $3.25 to $3.80 per 1,000 gallons.

Impact Fees Adjusted

New connection fees were also restructured. Water connection impact fees will double from $250 to $500, while sewer connection fees will be reduced sharply, from $2,120 to $240.

The city’s disconnect/reconnect fee for nonpayment or tampering remains at $50.

Next Steps

The new rates will take effect with the start of the 2026 fiscal year on Oct. 1, 2025. Commissioners said the adjustments reflect the rising costs of maintaining water and sewer systems while ensuring long-term stability for the city’s utilities.

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ALACHUA – A Raiford woman was arrested early Aug. 29, 2025, after Alachua Police Department (APD) officers said she drove northbound in the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 441 and led officers on a high-speed pursuit before being stopped with a precision maneuver.

APD responded to reports of a wrong-way driver at 1:49 a.m. and located the vehicle near Northwest U.S. 441 and Northwest 125th Street. Police said the driver ignored commands to stop and continued traveling in the opposite lanes, displaying signs of impairment.

The chase reached speeds of 70 mph in a 30-mph zone and included additional wrong-way driving, according to police. Officers used a Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT maneuver, near Northwest State Road 235 and Northwest County Road 239 to end the pursuit without injuries.

The driver was identified as 35-year-old Christina Anne Thomas of Raiford. Officers said methamphetamine and multiple hypodermic needles were recovered from the vehicle. Police confirmed Thomas is a convicted felon.

Thomas faces the following charges:

• CHRG0001 — 316.1935.2: Fleeing or eluding law enforcement with lights and sirens active (felony).
• CHRG0002 — 316.192.1a: Reckless driving, first offense (misdemeanor).
• CHRG0003 — 316.193.1a: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (misdemeanor).
• CHRG0004 — 893.13.6a: Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (felony).
• CHRG0005 — 893.147.1: Possession or use of drug equipment (misdemeanor).

Thomas was medically cleared before being booked into the Alachua County Jail, where her bond was set at $155,000.

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GAINESVILLE ‒ A High Springs man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida announced this week.

Jon Walter Crawford, 36, received the sentence following a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. Homeland Security Investigations determined that Crawford possessed over one thousand files of videos and images depicting the sexual abuse of children.

The case began when the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Deputies identified Crawford and confirmed his involvement in both possession and distribution. Federal agents later determined the full extent of the material in his possession.

Alachua County Sheriff Chad D. Scott commended the work of investigators, noting that the persistence of his detectives and their collaboration with federal partners were critical to the outcome of the case. He said the investigation reflects the agency’s commitment to protecting children and sending a clear message that those who seek to exploit minors will be found and prosecuted. “Let this serve as a clear message: anyone who seeks to exploit or harm children will be found, held accountable and delivered into the arms of justice. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office will continue to use every available resource to ensure these predators are stopped and that our community’s children are safe,” said Scott.

Officials stressed that the conviction was the result of strong cooperation between local and federal agencies. Homeland Security Investigations emphasized that individuals who collect such material contribute to ongoing abuse.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody prosecuted the case.

The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin, who said protecting children from exploitation is among his office’s highest priorities.

Crawford’s prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child exploitation and abuse. The program brings together federal, state and local agencies to track down and prosecute offenders while also working to identify and rescue victims

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ALACHUA ‒ High school volleyball fans will have plenty to cheer about when the Rising Stars Classic junior varsity girls’ volleyball tournament arrives at Legacy Park Multipurpose Center on Saturday, Sept. 20.

The event is hosted by Crafty Gemini Youth Development, Inc., a nonprofit focused on providing opportunities for young athletes. The all-day tournament will bring together 12 JV teams from across North Florida for a showcase of competition, skill and community spirit.

Participating schools include Branford, Cedar Key, Columbia, Gainesville High, Gainesville 9th Grade, Keystone Heights, Newberry, Oak Hall, The Rock, Suwannee, Union County and Williston. Each team is guaranteed four games, giving athletes multiple opportunities to compete and grow in the game.

Play begins at 8:30 a.m., with doors opening at 7:30 a.m. for teams and 7:50 a.m. for spectators. With the format ensuring a full schedule of games, fans can expect a steady stream of volleyball action from morning through evening.

Admission is $7 for students and $10 for adults. To encourage student support, each student with a paid ticket will receive a free slice of pizza and a drink. Organizers say the goal is to create not just a tournament, but a community event where families, schools and athletes come together.

Organizers emphasize that the Rising Stars Classic is designed as more than just a competition. The event highlights teamwork, sportsmanship and player development, while offering junior varsity athletes the chance to perform on a larger stage. Fans can expect enthusiastic crowds, spirited rallies and an atmosphere that reflects the passion and energy of high school volleyball.

Crafty Gemini Youth Development has hosted similar events aimed at fostering growth and opportunity in youth sports. By focusing on junior varsity athletes, the tournament helps shine a spotlight on younger players who represent the future of their high school programs.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
• Location: Legacy Park Multipurpose Center, 15400 Peggy Road, Alachua
• Time: Games start at 8:30 a.m.
• Admission: $7 for students, $10 for adults; free pizza slice and drink for each student with a paid entry

For more information, contact Brandon Wilson at Brandon@craftygeminiyouth.org.

The tournament marks another major youth sports event hosted in the city of Alachua, reinforcing the role of Legacy Park as a hub for regional competition and community gatherings.

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Colorful flowers and balloons in Santa Fe High’s colors of red, black and gray decorate the chain-link fence outside the school’s athletic fields on Sept. 7, 2025. Students and friends also used red cups to spell out the letters “Long Live JPJ” in tribute to senior Jonathan “JP” Prior, 17, who was killed in a motorcycle crash in Union County. / Alachua County Today Staff Photographer

ALACHUA – A Santa Fe High School senior was killed Friday night in a motorcycle crash in Union County, sending shockwaves through the community and sparking an outpouring of grief from classmates, family and friends.

Florida Highway Patrol officials said Jonathan “JP” Prior, 17, was riding southbound on State Road 121 when he rear-ended an SUV near Southwest 76^th Way on Sept. 5, 2025. The impact threw him from his motorcycle, and he did not survive his injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

Prior was a senior at Santa Fe High School and also worked as a lifeguard at Camp Kulaqua, where colleagues described him as dependable and kind.

Over the weekend, hundreds of students, teachers, relatives and neighbors gathered at Santa Fe High School for a memorial. The gathering turned into a living tribute filled with tears, laughter and stories that highlighted the teenager’s warmth and humor. Classmates said the size of the turnout reflected how deeply he had touched those around him.

In response to the tragedy, Camp Kulaqua lifeguards launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Prior family. The fundraiser quickly drew community support, becoming a focal point for those seeking to help during the family’s time of loss.

Santa Fe High administrators said grief counselors are available to support students as they cope with the sudden death of a peer.

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