On August 30, 2026, Deputies with the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a report from an adult female reporting that she had been sexually battered during the early morning hours of August 29, 2026, after returning from a night out with friends. The victim identified the suspect as Waylon James Mitchell.
According to the victim, after leaving an establishment in Gainesville, she was intoxicated and ultimately unable to function normally. She reported that she was taken to Mitchell’s residence in the Chiefland, area. The victim stated that while she was intoxicated and unable to walk, Mitchell proceeded to sexually batter her against her will. The victim advised she made clear verbal and nonverbal indications that the sexual contact was unwanted, including telling Mitchell “no.”
Uniformed Deputies contacted the Criminal Investigation Division, where Detectives Shelby Kilian and Ryan Sullivan, with the assistance of Victim Advocate Aubrie Douglas, conducted interviews with the victim and several witnesses in the case. Detectives also obtained digital evidence with assistance from the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Unit. The evidence obtained corroborated the victim’s statement.
On September 11, 2026, Detectives Kilian and Sullivan interviewed Mitchell.
Based on the evidence and testimony obtained during the investigation, Mitchell was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of Sexual Battery. He is currently being held without bond at the Levy County Detention Center.
Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, no further details, will be released at this time in order to protect the privacy and identity of the victim as required by Marcy’s Law.