Retired Jacksonville police officer facing multiple child sex charges

James Trejbal arrested during sexual battery investigation

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A former officer who retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was arrested Thursday amid a sexual battery investigation, according to a news release.

James M. Trejbal, 67, who retired from JSO in 1999, is held without bond in the Duval County jail. According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators identified multiple victims, and police said the incidents occurred over a span of “many years.”

The Sheriff’s Office said it was first notified of the claims in late December 2019. Details were not given in the news release.

Records show Trejbal was arrested for sexual battery on at least four children. Police reports obtained Friday by News4Jax were heavily redacted, but state that two victims came forward and said Trejbal did inappropriate things.

Trejbal is also charged with 11 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim less than age 12 and four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim age 12-15.

Trejbal waived a court appearance Friday morning.

News4Jax visited Trejbal’s listed address on Friday. No one answered the door.

News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said he remembers Trejbal from the time Jefferson worked as an officer with the Sheriff’s Office.

“I am surprised. When you look at your colleagues or your former colleagues in this case you don’t think about things like this. You don’t think this sort of thing is happening. Again, he’s innocent until proven guilty. I understand that. So, I don’t want to pass judgment but the allegations are serious, and if they hold true they are severe, and it will be punishable by a long time in jail if convicted,” Jefferson said.

Steve Zona, president of the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police, released a statement Friday:

“The union does not represent members who are arrested unless the arrest occurs in the good faith performance of their duties. If James Trejbal is found guilty, then he belongs where everyone else who commits those crimes belongs and that is in prison.”

The Sheriff’s Office said it believes all the victims have been identified, but it asked anyone with additional information related to the investigation to contact police at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000 contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.