JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Earlier this month, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office received information that an 18-year-old man had sexually battered an underage girl. When JSO detectives followed up, they said they found out the man was involved sexually with another underage girl.
Both incidents occurred in the Lakeshore area on the Westside of Jacksonville, according to JSO, and the suspect was identified as Jeremiah Richards.
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According to JSO, the first incident happened in December. The girl told JSO she snuck out of her home and went to Richards’ home in the apartment complex to have sex with him.
The second incident happened earlier this month, JSO said. The girl told police she was playing “manhunt” with her friends, a large game of hide-and-seek, and someone hit her in the back of the head. When she woke up, she told JSO that Richards was on top of her, performing a sex act.
On February 14, 2024, Richards was located and accused of capital sexual battery and lewd and lascivious battery.
JSO said it is seeking additional information from the public to help identify any other potential victims.
If you have or know someone who has information to assist in this investigation, please contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Special Assault Unit at 904-630-2168 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.
