Jury Finds Lamothe Guilty of Lewd or Lascivious Battery on 13-year-old

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Joseph Lamothe guilty of Lewd or Lascivious Battery. With the verdict, Lamothe faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Meredith Charbula will sentence Lamothe at a later date.

On Nov. 17, 2023, the 13-year-old victim was with Lamothe at his Cleveland Street apartment; he was a close family friend at the time. Lamothe brought the victim to a nearby empty church and ordered her to undress. Lamothe then raped her. He then took her home and told her not to tell anyone. On Dec. 5, 2023, the victim reported the attack to the police. On Dec. 21, 2023, the victim’s mother conducted a controlled call to Lamothe; on the recorded call, Lamothe confessed to having sex with the girl in the church. An arrest warrant was served and on Feb. 2, 2024, police recorded their interview with Lamothe where he again admitted to the crime.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Giovanna Rivera and Erin Wolfson.