Gainesville man charged with repeatedly raping young girl

Staff report

[Editor’s note: Many specific details about these incidents were provided by the victim and are included in Taylor’s arrest report, but these details are not included in this article to protect the victim.]

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Keshawn Quantrell Taylor, 25, was arrested yesterday and charged with five counts of sexual battery on a victim under the age of 12 and one count of sexual battery on a juvenile victim over the age of 12.

The victim reportedly told her legal guardian that Taylor had “raped” her, leading to a forensic interview in which she described incidents that happened over a period of about five years, starting when she was seven years old.

The victim said some of these incidents occurred on an RV that is parked on the property where Taylor lives.

Post Miranda, Taylor reportedly admitted to sexually battering the victim, starting when she was seven years old; he said he either wore a condom or pulled out before ejaculating because he was afraid of being caught for being a “chomo,” and he believed he would be caught if the victim got pregnant.

Taylor has been charged with five counts of sexual battery of a victim under the age of 12 and one count of sexual battery of a juvenile victim over the age of 12. He has no local criminal convictions, but he was arrested for dealing in stolen property in 2021 and for lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim between the ages of 12 and 16 in 2025; both cases were later dismissed. Judge Joy Danne ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.