Gainesville man charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of victim under 12

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Javier Alfredo Barrios-Martinez, 25, was arrested yesterday and charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12, one count of lewd or lascivious conduct, and one count of showing obscene material to a minor.

The investigation began when the victim’s mother was moving furniture and found a drawing; the child quickly picked up the paper and crumpled it in her hand, but the girl’s mother eventually persuaded the child to show her the drawing. The child reportedly told her mother that Barrios-Martinez, who lived at the same residence as part of an extended family, had been touching her “chest” and genitals when he was home alone with the children. The mother took a copy of the drawing to the child’s school and spoke to the School Resource Officer.

Investigators reported that Barrios-Martinez had been injured in a car accident and was not working in January 2023, so he was home alone for several hours during the day with the children who lived at the apartment. Barrios-Martinez allegedly entered the girl’s bedroom, where she was usually alone and coloring, and touched her under her clothing. Barrios-Martinez allegedly told the girl he would hurt her if she told anyone.

Barrios-Martinez also allegedly showed the child pornographic videos and images that were on his cell phone; he allegedly gave the child candy and let her play games on his cell phone to keep her from telling anyone what he was doing to her.

Barrios-Martinez has no local criminal history; bail information is unavailable.

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.