St. Petersburg, FL (November 12, 2018) – In
St. Petersburg, detectives arrested a school bus driver for
sexual battery following a lengthy investigation. The investigation started after the victim, a 16-year-old female, came forward and told a family member about the inappropriate sexual activity.
The man was identified as 61-year-old Ernest Williams of Miramar Drive. The victim was forced to have inappropriate sexual activity with Williams and that he inappropriately touched her on many occasions. The abuse happened from the time the victim was 13 up until she was 16.
Another victim came forth with the same accusations and Williams is being investigated for these crimes as well. Williams so far, has been charged with attempted sexual battery, sexual battery, lascivious molestation, and lewd and lascivious conduct.
It’s possible that there are more victims, and the investigation is ongoing at this time.
St. Petersburg Sexual Battery Laws
A variety of offenses are charged as ‘sexual battery.’ These crimes, under Florida law, refer to anything that is rape, groping, or unwanted touching of a sexual nature that causes harm to another party. If sexual battery was committed on a victim over the age of 12, it will be seen as a 2
nd degree felony under the law, which can lead to 15 years in prison and a wide variety of other penalties.
For these
types of cases, a felony attorney is needed to protect the rights of a suspect, as Florida judges tend to hold these cases to the highest extent of the law, which means that you could be facing the maximum penalties in your case. If you are being suspected of a serious crime, you need a Florida defense lawyer on your side who understands the many laws associated with these cases.
We serve the St. Petersburg area and beyond in regards to a variety of criminal defense cases. If you are being suspected in the event of a serious crime, especially those that are sexual in nature, you want your rights to be defended during this difficult and confusing time. At
Musca Law, we are here for you to protect your rights when you need it the most. Call us for more information on how we can stand by your side at (888) 484-5057.
Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that is incorrect to your knowledge, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.
Disclaimer: As members of the local Naples and broader Florida community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and you should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.
