Jailhouse Lawyer Sentenced to Life for Capital Sexual Battery Against Child

A man who previously served a five-year sentence for sexually assaulting a child will now spend the rest of his life in prison after a judge found him guilty of two capital felony counts of sexual battery against a child.

The offender, Jermaine L. Godbolt, 42, was not released from law enforcement custody after serving his sentence as he already had a warrant out for the new charges. According to the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) website, he was placed under a detainer on September 28, 2021, and was sent back to the Alachua County Jail on May 31, 2022.

In his prior case, Godbolt was sentenced by Judge James Colaw after he entered an open no contest plea. Colaw imposed the maximum sentence of five years after Godbolt pleaded no contest to third-degree felony count of attempted child molestation, a lesser included offense of his initial charges.

In his present case, Godbolt chose to have a bench trial, meaning the judge makes the determination on his guilt. Senior Judge William Slaughter II found him guilty and imposed concurrent life sentences. 

Court records indicate that Godbolt chose to represent himself even though he had an attorney on standby. He submitted numerous pro-se motion as his case was ongoing. It's unclear if he represented himself for the entire trial/sentencing proceedings or if he ever allowed court-appointed counsel to take over.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Nicole Reed. 

Prior to his attempted child molestation conviction, Godbolt served three years in prison for possession of a firearm and/or ammunition as a convicted felon.

Godbolt currently remains in the Alachua County Jail awaiting transportation to an FDC facility.