Registered Sex Offender With Pending Sexual Battery Case Arrested for Not Registering Vehicle Info

A registered sex offender with pending charges for kidnapping and sexual battery is now in jail after being arrested for not meeting registration requirements. 

Gerald Dwayne Grimes, 44, was convicted of sexual battery in 2007, according to the Florida sex offender database. 

On March 20, 2025, Grimes was released from prison after serving a three year sentence for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

On March 25, 2025, a woman staying at the Days Inn hotel contacted 911 after hearing a woman’s voice periodically saying “help” from the neighboring room, according to the sworn complaint. 

Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived on the scene and made contact with the victim. The victim was transported to the hospital for evaluation, where she met with Deputy Joseph Thompson. She told him that Grimes said he was going to “rape her” before he pushed her against the wall and sexually battered her with his fingers. 

The victim initially told Thompson she didn’t want to press charges but called back a few days later because she wanted to move forward with the case. The victim said she spoke with Grimes over the phone and he acted like he didn’t do anything wrong.

Thompson reported that “fingerprint evidence was located on a drink container” in the victim’s hotel room.

On April 23, 2025, Thompson contacted Grimes over the phone to ask for a statement. Grimes denied the allegations and said he only wanted to talk when he had an attorney with him.

On May 21, 2025, Grimes was arrested on a warrant for not providing correct vehicle information on his sex offender registration. He is being held in the Alachua County Jail on a $150,000 bond. 

Despite being in jail for another case and the charges being pressed last month, no warrant has been issued for Grimes’ sexual battery/kidnapping case.