August 2, 2017
Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division
investigators responded to Williston’s Regional General Hospital yesterday
afternoon to a report of sexual abuse. The mother of a 10 year old girl said
her child told her she had been forced to perform sexual acts. The mother
brought the child to the hospital to be checked for injuries and make a report
to law enforcement. The mother identified Richard Irving Avis (7-3-79) as the
person who had abused her child. Investigators also spoke to the child who
identified Avis and described various sexual acts she was forced to perform
with him.
Investigators located and spoke to Avis. During their
discussion, Avis admitted to performing inappropriate sexual acts with the 10
year old child. Avis further admitted these acts occurred at a home located on
NE 92nd Court in Bronson over a period of several years.
Avis has been arrested and charged with three counts of
Capital Sexual Battery on a child under 12. He is being held at the Levy County
Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $3 million dollars.