GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The city’s police department spent nearly 20 months investigating a sexual assault claim against a minor before it descended on a home in the Magnolia West subdivision on March 19 and arrested Anthony Joseph Marroletti Jr.

Attorneys with the Fourth Judicial Circuit are now working with the department about how it may pursue charges of lewd and lascivious battery and lewd and lascivious molestation of a minor.

According to a release, the Green Cove Springs Police Department said the victim was younger than 16 when the alleged battery began, and Marroletti was 23. The abuse “occurred over several years.”

Marroletti is now 36.

“We just made the arrest, and we’re working with the State Attorney’s Office on the prosecution,” said interim police chief Shawn Hines.

According to the release, the victim met with detectives from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on July 3, 2024, and it was determined the allegations took place in Green Cove Springs.

The case was transferred to a GCSPD detective, Milliken. After a thorough investigation, Marroletti was arrested. GCSPD said Marroletti confessed to engaging in sexual activity with the juvenile when agents with Agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Jacksonville ICAC Division interviewed him.

Marroletti was released on March 21 after posting a $300,006 bond. He cannot go within 2,500 feet of the victim’s residence, car or employment. He can have no contact with the victim, either written in person, electronically, telephonically or in any other manner, in person or through a third person. He must wear a GPS monitor, cannot drink alcohol or consume drugs, and he can’t have any contact with minors, possess any firearms or weapons or have any access to any device that connects to the internet.

His next court appearance will be on April 21.