A 14-year-old Marion County boy is facing a lengthy prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 91-year-old neighbor in her home, leaving her bloodied and bruised.

Jesse Stone, 14, appeared before a Marion County judge on Thursday, November 7, pleading guilty to sexual assault and burglary of a dwelling with battery in connection with an incident that occurred in June.

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the elderly female victim called 911 on Sunday, June 9, in the early morning hours, to report that an unknown male suspect had sexually battered her inside her Reddick home. She stated that the suspect fled from her house after the assault.

Law enforcement officers quickly arrived at the victim’s home and observed that she had several physical injuries to her face and body. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment of those injuries.

At the hospital, an MCSO detective made contact with the victim and noted in the report that she was wearing a cervical collar, and her left forearm was bandaged. In addition, the victim had “visible red and purple discoloration” on her upper right arm, swelling and bruising on the right side of her face, and dried blood was observed on her bottom lip, right cheek, forehead, and on the bridge of her nose.

The victim told investigators that she woke up shortly before midnight on Saturday, June 8, and saw a “dark shadow” that was approaching her bedroom. She stated that the male suspect, later identified as Stone, then “pounced” on top of her.

When the victim began trying to push him away, she stated that Stone punched her in the face. When she told him to leave her alone, he told her to “shut up” and continued attacking her, according to the victim’s statement.

The victim further stated that Stone “tore off” her underwear and “penetrated her” several times with his fingers. Eventually, the victim stated that Stone stopped the sexual assault and left the residence.

During an interview with law enforcement, the victim stated that earlier in the day on Saturday, a “neighborhood youth,” identified as Stone, had come over to her house and spoken with her. She stated that she has known Stone since he was younger, and she generally described him as being a “good boy.” She denied ever having any issues with him and stated that she enjoyed spending time talking with him.

The arrest report stated that no sign of forced entry was found at the home. In the victim’s bedroom, law enforcement observed “large spots of suspected blood” on the bed, and blood was also smeared on the wall behind the bed.

While conducting an investigation, an MCSO detective spotted Stone in the victim’s neighborhood and spoke with him. Stone told the detective that he had been outside the night prior to the incident, though he claimed that he was looking at cars that were traveling in the area, according to the report.

The detective noted in the report that a DNA sample was obtained from Stone, and further testing was conducted on the victim’s underwear. On Monday, June 17, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement informed the sheriff’s office that the victim’s underwear contained DNA from “two donors, including the victim,” and Stone was listed as a “possible contributor to the mixed DNA profile.”

Later that same day, law enforcement located Stone at North Marion High School, and he was transported to MCSO headquarters for questioning.

After being read his Miranda rights, Stone admitted to unlawfully entering the victim’s home via an unlocked door and utilizing her iPad to watch pornography. He further admitted to entering the victim’s bedroom, punching her, removing her underwear, and penetrating her vagina with his fingers multiple times before leaving the home, according to the report.

Stone was placed under arrest and charged with sexual assault and burglary with battery, which are both felonies.

On Tuesday, July 2, a Marion County judge denied bail for Stone, ordering that he should remain in pretrial detention while his case is pending.

Court records show that Stone is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 19. He is facing up to life in prison for the battery charge and up to 15 years behind bars for the sexual assault charge.