LaBelle man arrested on several sex-related charges involving kids

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published:
Robert Michael Gatch (Credit: HCSO booking photo)

The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that it has solved a 30-year-old sexual battery case involving several young victims.

Investigators received a complaint and information in November regarding the sexual battery of a child under 12 that occurred 30 years prior. A four-month investigation uncovered six separate victims of similar age.

The HCSO says detectives traveled as far as western North Carolina to interview the victims. Searches of the suspect’s home turned computers containing images of child pornography, investigators say.

The suspect, Robert Michael Gatch, 66, was arrested Friday afternoon at his home in LaBelle. He remains in the Hendry County Jail on $440,000 bail.

He faces charges of sexual battery of a victim under 12 and possession of child pornography.

The HCSO says the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed.

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