Duval County Jury Finds Arline Guilty of Sexual Abuse of Children

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces a Duval County jury found Cruz Arline guilty of Sexual Battery, Showing Obscene Materials to Minor, and Attempted Capital Sexual Battery. With the verdict, Arline faces mandatory life in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Tatiana Salvador will formally sentence Arline at a later date.

On May 7, 2024, the victim’s mother walked in on Arline sexually abusing her child. She called the police and made sure he could not leave the house until police arrived. During the investigation, detectives discovered Arline showed the victim pornographic videos and sexually abused another child as well. During the case, a Williams Rule hearing was held where the Court allowed the State to introduce another victim of Arline’s to testify to his cycle of abuse.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Jessica Russell and LaTesha Campbell.