Former middle school employee found guilty of sex crimes against child
Photo, courtesy of SAO, showing Hamilton being taken into custody after his guilty vedict.
State Atorney's Office (SAO), Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida
Serving Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando Counties
Serving Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando Counties
Marion County, Florida - Shortly before 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2024, after nearly 45 minutes of deliberation, jurors in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Peter M. Brigham rendered a guilty verdict for 34 year-old Frederick Lamar Hamilton, of Oklawaha, Florida, on all eight charges brought against him. Hamilton was charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious behavior toward a victim between the ages of 12 to 16, one count of lewd or lascivious battery of a child between the ages of 12 to 16, four counts of sexual assault or battery of a victim 16 to 17 years of age, and one count of lewd or lascivious behavior or conduct by a person 18 years of age or older
At 2:41 pm, Hamilton was booked into the Marion County Jail in Ocala, Florida to await his sentencing, which will be scheduled at a later time. His case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Elizabeth White.
In October of 2020, Hamilton was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) deputies as the result of an investigation alleging sexual misconduct of Hamilton toward the victim. On September 2, 2020, the victim's mother had been made aware of the sexual abuse and contacted the MCSO.
During a forensic interview by a case coordinator at Kimberly's Center for Child Protection on Sept. 24, 2020, the victim disclosed numerous incidents of sexual abuse committed by Hamilton that occured over a period of six years, when the victim was betgween the ages of 12 to 17. The victim stated that the abuse occurred at various locations that included Hamilton's home, the victim's home, and an Ocala church that Hamilton was affiliated with. On one occasion, Hamilton was accused of giving the youth alcohol.
The testomony of witnesses supported the victim's alllegations of abuse.
During an interview with Marion County Sheriff's Office Detective Frank Scala, Hamilton admitted to having sexual contact with the victim on multiple, separate occasions. Hamilton was arrested on the above chages and booked into the Marion County Jail.
Hamilton was employed by Marion County Public Schools from August 2015 through September 2, 2020. He worked as a classroom assistant at Liberty Mddle School in Ocala.
"Children teach us many things - resiliency being one," said William "Bill" Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. "The victim in this case not only coped with the traumatic challenges of this insidious adult taking advantage of them, but the victim persevered through to make sure Hamilton was held responsible for his repulsive crimes."