Gainesville, Florida, Man Arrested for Molestation

In 2024 on October 24th, Marqui Allen Branch, 29 years old, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill against his ex-girlfriend. The bond had been set at 25,000 dollars by Judge David P. Kreider with 6 months of jail and three years of probation. Nearly 2 years later on October 14th, 2026, around 8:23 pm in Gainesville, Florida, a witness came forward detailing a “molesting” of a 5 year old child who resides with Marqui Allen Branch now 31 years old.

The witness reportedly saw the child have their knees “forced” open, after asking if they were wearing “panties”, Marqui put his hand inside of the victim’s shorts, and asked “if they liked it when (he did) that”. The witness left the property and dialed 911.

A detective from the Gainesville Police Department was called out and when the child was questioned about Marqui became silent and reserved. There was another child in the household at the time, a 10-month-old, who had been evaluated at a hospital for injuries. As observed by the detective there were pipes and marijuana on the tables in the living room.

Marqui stated that he had a medical card for the marijuana and was checking the child’s underwear to make sure that it was clean. He denies knowing anything about the injuries with the infant that had happened in March.

Judge Susan Miller-Jones is holding Marqui without bail on the new charges under “800.04.5b”, two counts of “827.03.2d”, and “948.06”. “800.04.5b - An offender 18 years of age or older who commits lewd or lascivious molestation against a victim less than 12 years of age commits a life felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082(3)(a)4 - life sentence. 827.03.2d - A person who willfully or by culpable negligence neglects a child without causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to the child commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. 948.06 - “Parole and Probation Law”.”