WIlliston Man Charged with Sexual Battery and Incest in Gainesville

Jeremiah R’Shard James, 23, was arrested last week on a warrant for incest and two counts of sexual battery.  

On December 4, 2024, James and the victim were spending the night together at a family home in Gainesville. No other family members were in the home at the time.

The sworn complaint states James got undressed in front of the victim without consent. James then forced the victim to record him masturbating by pressuring her multiple times and raped her twice using physical force.

Throughout the entire attack, the victim expressed to James that she was not comfortable with what he was doing. Afterwards the victim hid in the bathroom, and James followed her. James told the victim he “did not violate” her, claiming he knew because he’d been “violated” in the past. 

The following morning the victim texted James that she was shocked and told him to stay away from her. James attempted to call the victim, and she ignored him. 

On December 9, 2024, the victim told an older family member who she lived with what James did. The family member coordinated a meeting between her and James to confront him. 

During the meeting, James told the older family member that he was “coming off a percocet” and had been drinking.

After the meeting, James went to the victim’s house before the older family member got back and confronted her, stating, “There was a difference between ‘peer pressure’ and rape.” 

James claimed to multiple family members that he and the victim had “consensual [sex].” James reportedly stated, “Was it immoral? Yes. Illegal? No.” 

The State Attorney’s Office made a motion for pretrial detention on James, but it was denied by Judge Denise Ferrero. 

Ferrero set James’ bond at $200,000.