(Marion County, FL) Today, State Attorney Bill Gladson of the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces a guilty verdict in the case against 43-year-old Donald Ronald Gates III, of Ocala, Florida. On April 9, 2026, a jury found Gates guilty of Human Trafficking of a Child for Commercial Sexual Activity of a Child, Lewd or Lascivious Molestation of a Child, and Engaging in an Act that Constitutes Sexual Battery upon a Child 12 Years of Age or Older but Younger than 18 Years of Age by a Person in Familial or Custodial Authority. Judge Barbara Kissner-Kwatkosky presided over the trial and sentenced the defendant to Life in prison, as required by law.
“My office, along with our law enforcement partners, has a zero tolerance policy for human trafficking and crimes committed against children,” stated Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. “This despicable defendant, who held a position of trust, harmed an innocent child. With this sentence, he will not be able to harm another child. I would like to thank the jurors for delivering justice.”
On October 6, 2025, School Resource Officer Roman-Soto of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a student wished to report a sexual battery that had occurred. The deputy met with the victim, who provided written notes detailing the incidents that occurred. After reading the notes, the deputy spoke with the victim, who confirmed the details of the abuse committed by Gates just two days prior. The victim further advised that they were wearing the same underwear, unwashed, from the day of the incident. The underwear was collected and packaged as evidence. The victim was then transported to the Kimberly Center for a forensic interview.
During the interview, the victim described the events leading up to the incident and further advised that Gates would say things to entice the victim, including “that the victim would get more things by doing what he tells the victim to do.” The victim explained that the defendant gave them $100 as a “reward” or “bribe,” and then committed the sexual acts upon them using physical force. After 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. The victim provided law enforcement with the $100 bill the defendant gave to them.
While investigating the case, detectives spoke with witnesses who responded that night to assist with the stuck vehicle and informed law enforcement that they thought it was weird that Gates was at the wooded location alone with the victim during that time. Detectives also obtained cell phone records and text messages that placed the defendant at the scene where the victim stated the crime occurred. Officials then made contact with the defendant, who denied the allegations.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted a DNA comparison on the underwear collected from the victim. The biology report determined the defendant’s DNA from the sperm cell fraction was found on the victim’s underwear. Gates was arrested and charged.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Katrina Self.
Published on 4/13/2026.