Editor's note: The State Attorney's Office on June 29 announced that it will not file criminal charges in this case. In a court filing, prosecutors said that although there was probable cause to make an arrest, based on the facts and circumstances of the case, the likelihood of conviction at trial is slight.
An Ocala man wanted for allegedly sexually molesting a girl was taken into custody by a sheriff's deputy.The deputy was able to find Tyler Kane Semple at a residence early Saturday morning and arrested him. Semple, 22, was taken to the Marion County Jail and booked on a charge of sexual battery upon a person age 12-18 without physical force.Semple's $10,000 bond had been posted, and he was released on Saturday afternoon.Deputies said the sexual encounter between Semple and the alleged victim occurred on Jan. 1. They were notified about the allegation in early February.Sheriff's Office officials said they were told the victim was in a room at a friend's home. Semple entered the room and allegedly had sex with the girl, officials were told.Detective Billy Burleson made arrangements to interview Semple at the Sheriff's Office last month. Semple never showed up and a warrant was issued for Semple's arrest on April 28.Local court records show Semple has a battery conviction.Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala man accused of molesting girl
