News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Sexual Battery Victim Comes Forward After 40 Years

 

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Newberry man Tuesday morning on one charge of sexual battery on a child under 12 years old, according to the warrant affidavit.

Donald Truluck, 66, was arrested after the victim came forward saying he molested her 40 years ago.

The now 46-year-old victim said in an interview with the sheriff's office that the first sexual incident with Truluck began when she was 6 and he was 26, according to the affidavit.

The victim’s aunt reportedly was dating Truluck at the time when she was first left alone with him, while her mother and aunt were out partying.

She said Truluck, who owned a Jeep with a camper and mattress in the back, pulled over and had the underage girl get in the back with him, according to the affidavit.

The victim also said Truluck gave her alcohol and drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and Quaaludes.

Truluck admitted to two witnesses about a year ago that he sexually abused the victim. The witnesses both completed sworn, written statements.

The victim spoke to Truluck in April via a controlled phone call made at the sheriff's office and monitored by detectives. He admitted to having sex with her on multiple occasions when she was 12. When the victim asked if he remembered fondling her when she was 6, he said he barely did.

"It [the case] is kind of unique in the fact that it's that old," Forgey said. "Just goes to show you that no case of this magnitude is that old."

In an interview with officials before Truluck was in custody, he admitted to fondling her breasts when she was between eight and 10 years old, but said nothing more occurred and he never offered her drugs, according to the affidavit.

When confronted about the phone call, he admitted to having sex with the victim when she was 12, but said she initiated it because "her hormones were out of control."

Truluck was previously charged on two third-degree felony charges in 1993 for cultivation of cannabis and possession of over 20 grams of cannabis. He was not convicted.

His bond is currently set at $250,000, according to his arrest warrant.

Kristina is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.