Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have transferred 42-year-old Justin Llewellyn Westerman of Tallahassee to the Alachua County Jail. He faces serious charges involving the lewd and lascivious molestation of a nine-year-old girl during a visit to Gainesville back in 2017.
In 2022, the victim bravely came forward to Tallahassee law enforcement to reveal the harrowing details of the incident. She recounted that Westerman took her to Gainesville to visit the Butterfly Museum and that they lodged at a hotel nearby. According to her testimony, Westerman entered the shower against her protests, and she felt his genitals press against her back. She also reported that while she was in bed, he allegedly touched her genitals beneath her clothing. This disturbing behavior reportedly occurred on both nights of their hotel stay.
In March 2026, the Gainesville Police Department was notified by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, which was already investigating related incidents in Leon County. A GPD detective reached out to the victim, who reportedly reaffirmed the grim details of her account.
By June 2026, formal charges had been filed against Westerman in Alachua County. He faces two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation involving a victim younger than 12. Due to the nature of the charges, details of Westerman’s criminal history remain private, as sexual offense records are not publicly accessible. Currently, Westerman is held without bail as the State Attorney’s Office seeks to keep him detained without bond until his trial. Should the judge deny this request, a bail amount will be determined during the 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.