Gainesville man arrested for lewd/lascivious battery on 15-year-old

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Darren Ivis Sheppard, 33, was arrested yesterday and charged with lewd/lascivious battery on a 15-year-old girl after allegedly having sexual intercourse with the same victim who was allegedly impregnated by a man arrested last week, Donovan Grimes.

According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office investigation that resulted in the arrest of Grimes, Grimes lived with the victim and her mother in various hotels/motels and was “in a relationship” with the victim during the summer and fall of 2023. In November 2023, Grimes was arrested and spent about 10 days in jail; during that time, the victim’s mother allegedly took her to stay with Sheppard. While the victim was staying with Sheppard, he allegedly had sexual intercourse with her and was fully aware that she was 15 years old.

Neighbors of Sheppard reportedly told the investigating deputy that they recognized the victim as someone who was frequently at Sheppard’s house. One neighbor said they saw the victim being dropped off in a car and that she would knock on the window to be let inside; the description of the car matches the description of a car driven by the victim’s mother.

Jail phone calls between Grimes, Sheppard, the victim’s mother, and the victim reportedly provide evidence that the victim stayed at Sheppard’s house.

Sheppard has six felony convictions (none violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (one violent). He is being held without bail.

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.