Melrose Man Booked on Capital Felony Child Sexual Abuse Warrant, Transferred from Alachua Jail to Hernando Jail
On October 8, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) deputies booked Christopher Robert Buzzone, 37, into jail on a Hernando County warrant for three capital felony counts of sexual battery against a child under 12 years old.
According to his ACSO booking report, Buzzone was living in Melrose, Florida at the time of his arrest.
Buzzone ran a business called Diversified Transportation LLC until it was dissolved last month.
Monday morning, authorities transferred Buzzone from the Alachua County Jail to the Hernando County Detention Center.
A judge ordered Buzzone to be held in jail without bond, a routine practice for capital felony defendants.
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office published the following media release.
"In June 2026, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding disclosures of sexual battery involving two juvenile victims. The disclosures indicated that the alleged abuse had occurred over an extended period, dating back to the victims’ childhoods.
The suspect, Christopher Buzzone... was identified during the investigation. The reported incidents occurred in multiple jurisdictions in Florida and New York.
Following a thorough investigation by Detective Killingsworth, an arrest warrant was obtained for Buzzone. He was subsequently arrested in Alachua County and transferred to the Hernando County Detention Center.
Buzzone faces the following charges: Sexual Battery by a Person 18 Years of Age or Older on a Victim Under 12 Years of Age - 3 Counts Bond: No Bond
This investigation remains ongoing, with forensic investigative efforts pending. The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is also coordinating with law enforcement agencies in the other jurisdictions where the incidents occurred.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously. These are among our most vulnerable victims, and they deserve to be protected, heard, and treated with dignity. We are committed to conducting thorough investigations, pursuing justice, and ensuring that the victims receive the support they deserve.
This investigation remains active, and additional information may be released as appropriate.
Hernando County Crime Stoppers / Anonymous Tips.
If you have information on this case, please contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers.
You will remain anonymous! Hernando County Crime Stoppers can be reached by phone at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477) or **TIPS from a cell phone."
Buzzone has a court date scheduled for November 12.
