Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
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Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties
Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida
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Serving the Citizens of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties

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FOUR LIFE SENTENCES FOR DEFENDANT SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILD

(Hernando County, FL) Judge Daniel B. Merritt Jr. sentenced 37-year-old Gerald Allen Gilbert to Life in prison on each sexual battery charge to be served consecutively. Gilbert was found guilty by a jury back in July of four counts of Felony Capital Sexual Battery upon a Child under 12 Years of Age.

“The years of abuse this victim endured are unimaginable,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “It took an incredible amount of courage and strength for this victim to come forward. Throughout the judicial process, the victim remained resilient, even while testifying against the defendant. I commend the victim and the work of ASA Rodeo in securing a conviction in this case and thank Judge Merritt for sentencing this predator appropriately.”

Gilbert was arrested in June of 2023 following a Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) investigation after law enforcement officials received information from officials with the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama that possible crimes of sexual battery had occurred at a residence in Brooksville, within HCSO’s jurisdiction. Law enforcement in Lamar County indicated they were investigating similar incidents involving the same victim and Gilbert.

HCSO officials obtained reports from their Alabama counterparts that stated that in May of 2022, the child victim went to a neighboring residence, stating Gilbert was threatening to kill them. The neighbor drove the child to a nearby intersection to meet with law enforcement. 

While telling authorities the threats made by Gilbert, the victim disclosed numerous instances of sexual abuse committed by Gilbert, starting when the victim was as young as three years old. The victim further indicated that Gilbert committed additional similar offenses while living at a residence in Brooksville.   

During their investigation, deputies questioned Gilbert regarding the allegations. The defendant denied any inappropriate touching or sexual acts with the child. Based upon the victim’s statement, as well as corroborating statements made by other witnesses in the case, Gilbert was arrested and charged.   

Thank you to the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office for responding to the initial call in this case and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for diligently investigating this predator. This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Angelina Rodeo.  

Published on 09/10/2026.