Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have charged 39-year-old Samuel Antonio Mitchell with lewd or lascivious conduct following accusations of inappropriate behavior towards a minor.
According to a report from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the young victim confided in an adult that Mitchell had inappropriately touched her under her underwear as she slept. The incident allegedly ended abruptly when Mitchell dashed into another room.
The adult, who had briefly left to use the bathroom, recounted that upon returning, Mitchell entered the room with her. Shortly thereafter, the juvenile informed the adult of the inappropriate contact.
Investigators surmised that Mitchell left the scene hurriedly upon hearing the sound of the toilet flushing, indicating he was aware of someone’s presence in the house.
Post Miranda, Mitchell denied touching the child in any way; he reportedly said he had smoked marijuana earlier in the evening and had two “Buzz Ball” drinks. He reportedly said he doesn’t do other drugs anymore and then said he smoked “molly” four days before the incident; however, he later reportedly changed his story and said he had smoked “molly” two days before the incident, and then he said he had not smoked molly in two years and had smoked cocaine four days and two days before the incident. He said he did not believe he was intoxicated at the time of the incident, but the deputy reported that he could smell alcohol on Mitchell’s breath; Mitchell said he’d just had a “Buzz Ball” in his hands.
Mitchell reportedly said the adult and the child were lying about the incident to get him in trouble, but the deputy noted that it didn’t make sense for both of them to wake up from sleep at the same time and come up with a story to get Mitchell in trouble.
Mitchell has been charged with lewd or lascivious conduct. He has 17 felony convictions (non-violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served seven state prison sentences, with his most recent release in January 2025. He is being 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.