MARION COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 An Ocala man has now been convicted after he raped a child last year, according to the State Attorney\u2019s Office on Monday.<\/p>\n
In a release, officials with Florida\u2019s Fifth Judicial Circuit announced that a school resource officer was tipped off to the incident back in October.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe deputy met with the victim, who provided written notes detailing the incidents that occurred,\u201d the release reads. \u201cAfter reading the notes, the deputy spoke with the victim, who confirmed the details of the abuse committed by (the suspect) just two days prior.\u201d<\/p>\n
The child further explained that the man \u2014 identified as Donald Gates, 43 \u2014 would try to entice the victim, such as \u201cthat the victim would get more things by doing what he tells the victim to do,\u201d investigators noted.<\/p>\n
[BELOW: \u2018House of Horrors\u2019 uncovered at Sanford home, Florida attorney general says]<\/p>\n
Per the release, the victim told detectives that Gates had given the child $100 as a \u201creward\u201d or \u201cbribe\u201d before committing sex acts on the child via brute force.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the sexual battery occurred, the victim stated that the vehicle they were in got stuck in the sand, and the defendant had to call a friend to get the vehicle out,\u201d the release continues. \u201cThe victim provided law enforcement with the $100 bill the defendant gave to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Detectives said that witnesses who\u2019d responded that night to help with the stuck vehicle had told law enforcement they thought it was strange that Gates was at the wooded location alone with the child during that time.<\/p>\n
Cell phone records, text messages, and DNA samples from the victim\u2019s underwear were also used as evidence against Gates, who was ultimately arrested and charged, detectives added.<\/p>\n
[BELOW: Man drives into Brevard County canal with ex in car, deputies say]<\/p>\n
On April 9, Gates was found guilty on the following charges:<\/p>\n
Human trafficking of a child for commercial sexual activity <\/p>\n
Lewd or lascivious molestation of a child<\/p>\n
Engaging in an act that constitutes sexual battery on a child between 12 and 18 years of age by a person in familial or custodial authority<\/p>\n
On Monday, State Attorney Bill Gladson revealed that Gates had been sentenced to life in prison, as required by law.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy office, along with our law enforcement partners, has a zero-tolerance policy for human trafficking and crimes committed against children,\u201d Gladson said. \u201cThis despicable defendant, who held a position of trust, harmed an innocent child. With this sentence, he will not be able to harm another child.\u201d<\/p>\n
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