Press Release
Fernandina Beach Police Department
Submitted by James T. Hurley, Chief
The Fernandina Beach Police Department is currently investigating a claim by a thirteen year old girl that she was the victim of sexual molestation on several occasions, when she was only eleven years old, and again in April 2013, after she was left in the care and custody of a local man.
The victim revealed to her parents that she was molested during a three week period, sometimes three times a day, when she was eleven years of age. These heinous crimes reportedly occurred while on a boat docked at the Fernandina Harbor Marina, and at another location in unincorporated Nassau County. The girls’ father brought her to the Fernandina Beach Police Department and she was interviewed by detectives and by the First Coast Child Protection Team.
The alleged offender, Jeremiah Potter, 31 years of age, was arrested on June 4th on an outstanding, but unrelated warrant. He was additionally charged with a single count of Capital Sexual Battery on a Child under 12 Years of Age, and a single count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation on a Child under 12 Years of Age.
The second victim, now eleven years of age, was described as a former step-daughter of the offender. She was interviewed by detectives and by the First Coast Child Protection Team on June 6th and alleged that she has been repeatedly molested by the offender since she was four years of age.
Detectives conducted a search warrant last Friday afternoon at the suspect’s residence, located at 1418 North 14th Street, Fernandina Beach.
Potter was additionally charged by FBPD detectives on June 6th with three more counts of Capital Sexual Battery on a Child under 12 Years of Age. Additional charges are pending investigative results by the NCSO, while Potter remains in the Nassau County Jail without bond.