GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Edgardo Rivera, 71, was arrested yesterday and charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation involving a young teenager.
According to the alleged victim, Rivera began touching her inappropriately when she was 9 or 10 years old, particularly when he had been drinking. She said she never confronted him. The girl reported that Rivera applied VapoRub beneath her shirt when she was 11 or 12. Several years later, she alleged, he touched her genitals in a sexual manner while helping apply lotion to her back.
After being read his Miranda rights, Rivera reportedly described the victim as generally truthful and honest but denied the accusations. He acknowledged putting lotion on her back and initially said he had not touched her elsewhere. He later said he applied lotion to her “sides, front, and lower back,” demonstrating by cupping his hands near his own hips. Rivera denied touching her breasts or genitals and said he did not remember the alleged VapoRub incident. At the conclusion of the interview, he again said he believed the victim was truthful and honest while maintaining that he had not touched her improperly.
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Rivera faces two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim between 12 and 16 years old. His complete criminal record was unavailable because records involving sexual offenses are not posted, although the local court system lists only traffic citations. Judge Adam Lee ordered Rivera held without bail pending a hearing on the State Attorney’s Office request to keep him jailed without bail through trial. If that request is denied, the judge will determine bail at the hearing.