HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. — The Hendry County Sheriffs Office says they have brought closure to several victims in a Sexual Battery case involving children.
The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office says Detectives with the General Crimes Unit received a complaint and information concerning a sexual battery of a child under the age of 12 which occurred approximately thirty years prior.
“We are committed to this community and work very hard to ensure the safety of all citizens”, said Sheriff Steve Whidden.
After a four-month investigation, Detectives identified six separate victims of similar age that had become victims of sexual abuse at the time of the criminal occurrences.
HCSO Detectives traveled as far as the western part of North Carolina to interview these victims as well as conducted several search warrants on the suspect’s residence which produced computers containing images of child pornography.
Hendry County Detectives obtained an arrest warrant and took Robert Michael Gatch, into custody.
Gatch, 66, a resident of LaBelle was arrested and charged with three counts of Sexual Battery of a Victim Under 12 Years of Age (Capital Felony) and fourteen counts of Possession of Child Pornography a 3rd Degree Felony.
The investigation is ongoing and further information is being sought with the possibilities of more charges being filed.
“We take these offenses very seriously and will not stop until we apprehend the perpetrators of these violent crimes, " Sheriff Whidden.
