Suspect Calls His Molestation Actions 'Animalistic': Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL — A Lakeland man who faces lewd and lascivious molestation charges admitted to deputies that he began inappropriately touching a child he was trusted with when the victim was as young as 4 years old, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

The girl told her mom that Eric Roe, 32, touched her numerous times, according to detectives. Roe was confronted about the allegations by the child's mother Monday afternoon. In response, the suspect said what he did was animalistic and he was ashamed of fondling the victim, investigators said. Just before Roe left, the mother thought he was acting suicidal. She informed authorities of this and that she believed he had a gun.

Officers found Roe at Gator Creek Reserve at about 4:30 p.m. Monday. He did have a gun, police said, but they were able to de-escalate the situation. Roe admitted to authorities that he molested the victim between eight and 10 times.

Deputies arrested Roe on charges sexual battery by custodian and lewd/lascivious molestation, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

"A crime such as this is absolutely sickening," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "The victim is so young, and the perpetrator is in a position of trust; he was someone the child should have been able to look up to. We are going to do everything we can to hold him accountable and make sure he does not have access to victimize a child again."

*Due to Marsy's Law, the Polk County Sheriff's Office will not release the relationship the suspect had with the victim.