MARIANNA — Authorities arrested and charged a Jackson County man Wednesday accused of sexually battering a family member’s 15-year-old girlfriend, according to a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office news release.
James Daniel Sergel, 37, was wanted on charges of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious battery, officers reported. JCSO said they responded Tuesday at about 5:40 a.m. to the 4500 block of Pilcher Road on a call that Sergel had sexually battered a 15-year-old girl the night before. Sergel allegedly gave his underage family member and the 15-year-old alcohol until they passed out and then performed sexual acts upon the sleeping girl, JCSO reported.
Sergel locked the family member out of the house when he awoke and witnessed the incident. Once the family member was able to get into the residence, he witnessed Sergel performing another sexual act on the girl, officers reported.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call JCSO at 850-482-9624 or CrimeStoppers at 526-5000.