Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on June 29, 2021, a Jackson County Jury found Timothy John Jokinen Guilty as Charged of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation.
Evidence presented at trial proved that on November 25, 2019, the Defendant visited the Victim’s family at the Grand Ridge Park at the corner of Broadway Street and Porter Avenue in Grand Ridge, Florida. While the Victim’s father was in the restroom, the Defendant began to place his hands down the pants of the Victim in a lewd and lascivious manner. An eyewitness exiting the restroom caught the Defendant in the act of molesting the Victim. Two more eyewitnesses on the scene also were able to observe the Defendant’s actions and confronted him about those actions before calling local law enforcement. The facts at trial went on to prove that the Defendant was over the age of 18 at the time and the Victim was under the age of 12.
Once law enforcement arrived on the scene, and after a thorough investigation, the Defendant was arrested and charged with the crime. Subsequently, the Victim was interviewed by the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center’s Child Protective Team and further evidence of the abuse was disclosed that incriminated the Defendant.
The State Attorney’s Office would like to thank Deputy Brandon Arroyo and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for their hard work, professionalism, and diligent investigation of this case. The State Attorney’s Office would also like to thank the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center for their diligence in this investigation and all witnesses who came forward to help protect the Victim in this case and assist in the prosecution.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Benjamin Keown and Shalla Jefcoat. The Defendant faces up to life imprisonment in the Department of Corrections with a minimum mandatory of 25 years incarceration. Sentencing is set for August 20, 2021, at 3 pm before the Honorable James J. Goodman.
For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.