Duval County Jury Finds Arline Guilty of Sexual Battery

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Michael Arline Jr. guilty of Sexual Battery. With the verdict, Arline faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Jeb Branham will sentence Arline at a later date.

On Aug. 9, 2009, the victim and her friends went to a nightclub on University Boulevard. Arline met up with the group at the nightclub. Arline’s brother was friends with the victim and at the club with the group. The group of four people all stayed the night at one apartment. Around 5 a.m. while the victim was trying to sleep in the living room, Arline began touching the victim inappropriately. The victim told Arline to stop multiple times. Arline removed the victims clothing and raped her.  The victim reported the assault to police the next day and completed a sexual assault kit. The medical exam documented signs of genital trauma due to the sexual assault.

The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Joy Whitmore and Marleigh Gulliford.