Groveland man accused of sexual battery on child older than 12/younger than 18
GROVELAND — Police have arrested a former motorcycle cop who was working as a school safety officer. The charges include multiple counts of sexual battery on a child.
The arrest of James W. Wolfe, 50, of Groveland, is not related to his work at Mount Dora High School. He has been suspended, pending a termination vote by the Lake County School Board on Aug. 28.
A heavily redacted arrest affidavit indicates the offenses — his charges include 10 counts of sexual battery of a child older than 12 but younger than 18, 10 counts of sexual battery, and one count of sharing obscene material — have gone on for years and could involve crimes in Altamonte Springs in Seminole County.
The two cities are working together to see if there are other victims. Both cases were brought to the attention of Groveland police by the state Department of Children and Families.
Wolfe was a motorcycle officer for “several years” until he was hurt and lost his job. It is not clear what law enforcement agency he worked for, according to the arrest report.
Among the allegations in the arrest report is that Wolfe, a licensed massage therapist, used that skill as a pretense to touch minors inappropriately. He was charged with indecent, lewd or lascivious touching in one case. He also is accused of threatening a group with a gun and repeatedly drugging and sexually battering an adult woman.
Wolfe was arrested on Aug. 18. At first, he denied the allegations, saying he was “a God-fearing man and that he follows his Bible,” according to the arrest report.
He even asked one of the detectives to pray with him. Finally, he asked one of the detectives to leave the room. It was then that he reportedly confessed to having sexual intercourse with the victim in the 21-count case. He said he knew it was wrong but blamed the victim, the report says.
He also confessed to making pornographic videos and photos with the minor child.
“Jim began to cry several times during the course of the interview. Jim made mention that he was ready to go home to God several times….,” the report says.
When asked what that meant, he said he was not suicidal but felt like the weight of carrying secrets had been lifted. He said he would plead guilty because he didn’t want to go to trial and put his victim through any more trauma.
Police are urging anyone who may have been a victim, or who has information about this case, to call police at 352-429-4166 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).
Schools spokeswoman Sherri Owens said Wolfe worked as a custodian at Seminole Springs Elementary from Aug. 10, 2021 through Oct. 22, 2021, and at Pine Ridge Elementary from Oct. 25, 2021 through Nov. 21 of that year. He was hired as school safety officer at Mount Dora High School on Aug. 9.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Multiple child sex charges lodged against Groveland man
