Man Arrested For Committing Rape Against Minor

On August 12, Dakari Sterling, 37, was charged for committing sexual battery against a minor, resisting an officer without violence, and aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony. 

According to the arrest report, Sterling took advantage of the dating relationship he had with the victim’s mother to rape her child. 

The victim told her mother, and she was taken to the hospital and did an interview at a case management center. 

Sterling received an aggravated assault charge because he threatened to kill the victim with a knife if she told anyone about the rape.

Sterling didn’t comply with being arrested by Gainesville Police, so they subdued him and placed him in a patrol vehicle.  

Sterling completed a mental health program in 2006 to avoid prosecution for simple battery charges. 

The State Attorney’s Office has filed a motion of pretrial detention on Sterling, and he isn’t eligible for bond.