Roberto L. Gaucin of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida was arrested this week for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with an underage girl.
Gaucin, 21, is being charged with one count of lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 16. He was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on August 29 and was ordered held in lieu of a $30,000 bond. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.
According to the arrest report, police began investigating Gaucin’s alleged relationship with the teen on August 10 after a woman reported finding him and the victim in bed together when she returned home on that night.
Under Florida law, the age of consent is 18. The law allows teens aged 16 and 17 to legally engage in sexual activity with someone 23 or younger, but no one under the age of 16 can give consent under any circumstance.
Another case involving lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor was reported in Davie two weeks ago. German Martinez of Sunrise was arrested for allegedly molesting a minor at a Holiday Inn he managed. Martinez, 41, is being charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of 16. He is being held without bond. The press did not name an attorney for him.
According to the police report, the alleged molestation took place earlier this year at the Holiday Inn on 2450 Davie Road. Martinez was employed as a manager at the hotel and the victim’s mother reportedly worked as a maid.
The 9-year-old went to the hotel with her mother on the day of the alleged incident because she was sick and did not go to school. Her mother left her in the hotel’s business center while she worked and that was were Martinez allegedly touched her in a sexual manner.
Records show Martinez has been convicted of lewd or lascivious conduct against a minor before and is a registered sex offender. Investigators believe he has worked in several hotels in the region over the years and are asking any other victims to come forward.
The hotel released the following statement to news sources about the incident:
“Our thoughts are with the victim and her family during this time. The allegations surrounding the arrest of this individual are very serious. This independently owned and operated hotel terminated the employee and is cooperating fully with authorities.”
Lewd and lascivious battery occurs when a person inappropriately touches the breasts, genitals, or breasts of a minor under the age of 16 with sexual intent. The penalties for this offense vary depending on the age of the victim. They become more severe when the victim is under 12 years of age.