Newberry man arrested for improperly touching young girl

Staff report

NEWBERRY, Fla. – Michael D’artagnon Kesselring, 34, was arrested yesterday and charged with sexual battery and lewd or lascivious battery on a victim under 16.

According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy, the victim recently came forward and told family members that Kesselring had touched her inappropriately on “numerous occasions,” beginning when she was 12 years old. The victim said she had not reported this because when she was younger, she thought these interactions were normal. She said he touched her genitals once, and she immediately jumped up to get away from him.

Post Miranda, Kesselring reportedly declined to answer any questions.

Kesselring has been charged with sexual battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 18 and lewd or lascivious battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 16. He was charged with DUI and reckless driving with alcohol in 2017; the DUI charge was dropped after he completed a deferred prosecution agreement, and adjudication of guilt was withheld on the reckless driving with alcohol charge. Judge Susan Miller-Jones 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.