Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Nineteen-year-old Devin Christopher DeCoursey has been taken into custody, facing charges for two incidents of lewd or lascivious behavior involving a preschool child. Additionally, he stands accused of possessing cocaine, all while on probation for three prior offenses.

The investigation led by the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) revealed that DeCoursey allegedly made inappropriate contact with the child’s genitals through clothing earlier in September. The situation came to light on September 14 when the child reported to an adult that DeCoursey had touched her “pee-pee,” prompting an immediate report to the authorities. Officers interviewed DeCoursey on the same day but released him as the investigation continued.

Four days later, on September 18, a more detailed interview was conducted with the child at the Child Advocacy Center. During this session, the child expressed feeling frightened and indicated that DeCoursey had caused her harm in her genital area. The results from this interview supported claims of sexual abuse.

Although DeCoursey was summoned to the GPD Headquarters for further questioning on October 6, he reportedly refused to comply. By October 16, the GPD had established probable cause for charging him with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation. Officers from the Gun Violence Unit apprehended him behind the Food Max store at 1304 E. University Avenue. During the arrest, a search revealed a plastic baggie containing coins and approximately 1.4 grams of marijuana, along with a second baggie hidden in his pants leg containing around 2.6 grams of cocaine.

Post Miranda, DeCoursey reportedly said he was holding the crack cocaine for someone else and that it was for personal use. DeCoursey was not charged with marijuana possession.

Post Miranda on the lewd or lascivious molestation charges, DeCoursey reportedly denied touching the child in her private areas or hurting her at any time.

DeCoursey has been charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and possession of a controlled substance. He has juvenile convictions between 2020 and 2024 and four adult felony convictions (two violent). He is on probation in three separate cases on charges of possession of a firearm by an adjudicated delinquent (committed when he was 17 but charged as an adult), battery by a person detained in a jail facility, battery of a detention staff member, and property damage. He was arrested in December 2024 for allegedly stealing a vehicle and drug possession, but those charges were later dropped, although he was on probation at the time of that arrest.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered DeCoursey held without bail on the probation violation cases until they are resolved, and she ordered him held without bail on the molestation charges, 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. Judge Miller-Jones also set bail at $10,000 for the drug possession charge.

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.