Man arrested for sexual battery of juvenile in 2020

Staff report

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Richard Eugene Dutton, 55, who was just released from state prison, has been booked on a charge of sexual battery on a victim under 12 from an incident in 2020.

The victim reportedly came forward in 2024 and told the Child Protection Team that she was at a relative’s house “during the time of COVID-19” when “there were certain times that people were not supposed to be out.” She said Dutton was staying on the relative’s property at the time, and on the evening of the incident, the victim was sitting outside with Dutton and another woman who was staying there; the victim said the other woman was “passed out,” possibly because of drugs.

The victim said Dutton moved his chair next to hers, started talking to her, and then placed her on his lap; he then allegedly battered her sexually. The victim said Dutton did not talk much, but he told her to be quiet at one point and said, “Good job” after he was done.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy interviewed Dutton in prison in August 2025, and Dutton reportedly confirmed that he had stayed with the victim’s relative for a few days in 2020 and that he was a methamphetamine addict at the time; he also confirmed that the woman who was “passed out” was a drug addict at the time. He denied that anything sexual happened between him and the victim.

Dutton has been charged with sexual battery on a victim under the age of 12. He has nine felony convictions (six violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (one violent) and has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release on January 8, 2026. Judge Jonathan Ramsey 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.