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Reported by Staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have taken 23-year-old Robert Eugene White IV into custody, charging him with rape following an incident that occurred in the early hours of February 6.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, the victim recounted waking up around 4:30 a.m. to find White assaulting her. She managed to push him away, prompting him to flee the bedroom. White then reportedly locked himself in a bathroom before escaping the apartment without shoes.
A witness at the scene stated that after hearing the victim’s claim of assault, he attempted to confront White. Emerging from the bathroom, White allegedly apologized repeatedly, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” before hastily leaving the premises.
Law enforcement officials noted that White abandoned several personal items, including a backpack, as well as his shoes, socks, and pants, suggesting a rushed departure.
An officer spoke with White by phone, and White reportedly confirmed that he had left his backpack at the victim’s apartment and had also left his scooter at the front entrance of the complex, so he called an Uber after leaving the apartment. He reportedly agreed to come to the Gainesville Police Department to get his backpack, but he did not show up; he was arrested a day later.
Post Miranda, White reportedly declined to speak to officers.
White has been charged with sexual battery. He has no local criminal history, and Judge Mitchell Bishop 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.