Gainesville man accused of molesting 10-year-old as part of “game” in swimming pool

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Terrence R. Huston, Jr., 48, was arrested yesterday and charged with three counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12.

The alleged incidents were reported to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office yesterday but occurred in 2022; the victim reportedly told at least two adults in 2022 that Huston would touch her “butt hole” in the pool. One of the adults said she learned about the incidents when she asked the child about a text message from Huston to the child that said, “I am lonely in the pool all by myself,” and the child said that when she and Huston were in the pool, they played the “poke the butthole game.” She reportedly said Huston touched her anus and sometimes her vagina, from the outside of her swimsuit.

The adult said she confronted Huston, who said he and the child wrestled in the pool, and if he touched her inappropriately, it was accidental. She said that the child continued to bring up the incidents and that they were obviously taking a toll on the child.

Another adult reportedly told investigators that when she confronted Huston, he admitted he had played a game with the victim where the goal was to “touch each other’s butt hole” and also admitted he occasionally touched the victim’s vagina.

The victim also said she told two friends about the “game,” and the friends reportedly told investigators that the victim said “Terry” had touched her in her private parts in the pool.

The victim reportedly told investigators that she believed Huston’s intentions in touching her were sexual and that they always played the “games” when they were away from other adults; she reportedly said another “game” involved pulling down each other’s pants.

Huston has been charged with three counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12. He has no local criminal history. His bail amount is not currently public, but he has been released from the jail although the State Attorney’s Office filed notice that they intend to seek pre-trial detention within three days.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.