Gainesville man arrested for making young child touch his genitals

Staff report

Updated on April 30 with pre-trial detention information.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Roger Ali Williams, 46, was arrested yesterday for allegedly showing pornographic videos to an elementary-age child and making her touch his genitals.

The victim reportedly told a Gainesville Police Department detective that Williams took her to a remote location and showed her pornographic videos that showed sexual acts between men and women; he then allegedly took off his pants and underwear and made the victim touch his genitals.

The victim described the location with enough detail that the detective was able to identify it; the detective reported that Williams had no legitimate reason to take the victim to that location.

Post Miranda, Williams reportedly corroborated several details about the evening when the victim said the incident occurred but left out several details related to the incident; the detective noted that Williams was only untruthful when discussing his interaction with the victim.

Williams has been charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12 years old and lewd or lascivious exhibition. His last local criminal case was in 2013, and after that case was concluded in 2015, he had five felony convictions (non-violent), 11 misdemeanor convictions (one violent), and four traffic convictions. Judge Bo Bayer ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial. On April 30, Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard granted the motion and ordered him held without bail until trial.

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.