Topline: In the guilty plea, the man also admitted to threatening to kill the victim if she told anyone of the crime.
Published: March 4, 2025 7:30 am ET
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Robert Joseph McGuire Jr. (via Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office)
HERNANDO COUNTY, FL — A Florida man admitted in court to raping a 13-year-old girl and threatening to kill her if she told anyone.
Robert Joseph McGuire Jr., 34, pleaded guilty last week to two felony counts of Sexual Battery Upon Person 12 to 18 Years of Age Involving Threat of Retaliation, according to a news release issued by the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
He was sentenced to “just shy of 18 and a half years” in the Florida Department of Corrections, is designated as a Sexual Predator, and will be required to complete ten years of sex offender probation upon his release.
“The cruel actions and intent behind this defendant’s crimes are repulsive,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Despite being victimized and threatened, this courageous young victim spoke up and sought help; ensuring McGuire would eventually be held accountable.”
Back in October of 2021, deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were made aware of a previous sexual offense involving the defendant and a 13-year-old victim. The complainant stated that the victim had been extremely quiet the past few days before informing the trusted adult that McGuire had sexually battered them.
Officials made contact with the juvenile victim, who indicated that McGuire had sexually battered them. The victim further provided crucial details of the crime, informing deputies that McGuire stated he would kill the victim if they told anyone and also forced the victim to take a morning-after pill, commonly referred to as ‘Plan B’.
Evidence was collected from the scene and later examined. During the forensics examination, DNA evidence was located and compared to McGuire’s DNA with the result returning a match.
Additionally, McGuire’s GPS monitor that he wore for probation revealed his location at a CVS pharmacy around the incident date. At the store, law enforcement officers collected video footage of the defendant purchasing the Plan B pill.
Detectives responded to the Hernando County Detention Center to interview McGuire who was in custody for an unrelated Violation of Probation charge. The defendant denied all allegations.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Florida Man Admits to Raping 13-Year-Old Girl, Forcing Her to Take ‘Plan B’
In the guilty plea, the man also admitted to threatening to kill the victim if she told anyone of the crime.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 4, 2025 7:30 am ET
Robert Joseph McGuire Jr. (via Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office)
HERNANDO COUNTY, FL — A Florida man admitted in court to raping a 13-year-old girl and threatening to kill her if she told anyone.
Robert Joseph McGuire Jr., 34, pleaded guilty last week to two felony counts of Sexual Battery Upon Person 12 to 18 Years of Age Involving Threat of Retaliation, according to a news release issued by the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
He was sentenced to “just shy of 18 and a half years” in the Florida Department of Corrections, is designated as a Sexual Predator, and will be required to complete ten years of sex offender probation upon his release.
“The cruel actions and intent behind this defendant’s crimes are repulsive,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Despite being victimized and threatened, this courageous young victim spoke up and sought help; ensuring McGuire would eventually be held accountable.”
Back in October of 2021, deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were made aware of a previous sexual offense involving the defendant and a 13-year-old victim. The complainant stated that the victim had been extremely quiet the past few days before informing the trusted adult that McGuire had sexually battered them.
Officials made contact with the juvenile victim, who indicated that McGuire had sexually battered them. The victim further provided crucial details of the crime, informing deputies that McGuire stated he would kill the victim if they told anyone and also forced the victim to take a morning-after pill, commonly referred to as ‘Plan B’.
Evidence was collected from the scene and later examined. During the forensics examination, DNA evidence was located and compared to McGuire’s DNA with the result returning a match.
Additionally, McGuire’s GPS monitor that he wore for probation revealed his location at a CVS pharmacy around the incident date. At the store, law enforcement officers collected video footage of the defendant purchasing the Plan B pill.
Detectives responded to the Hernando County Detention Center to interview McGuire who was in custody for an unrelated Violation of Probation charge. The defendant denied all allegations.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Florida Man Admits to Raping 13-Year-Old Girl, Forcing Her to Take ‘Plan B’
In the guilty plea, the man also admitted to threatening to kill the victim if she told anyone of the crime.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 4, 2025 7:30 am ET
Robert Joseph McGuire Jr. (via Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office)
HERNANDO COUNTY, FL — A Florida man admitted in court to raping a 13-year-old girl and threatening to kill her if she told anyone.
Robert Joseph McGuire Jr., 34, pleaded guilty last week to two felony counts of Sexual Battery Upon Person 12 to 18 Years of Age Involving Threat of Retaliation, according to a news release issued by the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
He was sentenced to “just shy of 18 and a half years” in the Florida Department of Corrections, is designated as a Sexual Predator, and will be required to complete ten years of sex offender probation upon his release.
“The cruel actions and intent behind this defendant’s crimes are repulsive,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Despite being victimized and threatened, this courageous young victim spoke up and sought help; ensuring McGuire would eventually be held accountable.”
Back in October of 2021, deputies with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were made aware of a previous sexual offense involving the defendant and a 13-year-old victim. The complainant stated that the victim had been extremely quiet the past few days before informing the trusted adult that McGuire had sexually battered them.
Officials made contact with the juvenile victim, who indicated that McGuire had sexually battered them. The victim further provided crucial details of the crime, informing deputies that McGuire stated he would kill the victim if they told anyone and also forced the victim to take a morning-after pill, commonly referred to as ‘Plan B’.
Evidence was collected from the scene and later examined. During the forensics examination, DNA evidence was located and compared to McGuire’s DNA with the result returning a match.
Additionally, McGuire’s GPS monitor that he wore for probation revealed his location at a CVS pharmacy around the incident date. At the store, law enforcement officers collected video footage of the defendant purchasing the Plan B pill.
Detectives responded to the Hernando County Detention Center to interview McGuire who was in custody for an unrelated Violation of Probation charge. The defendant denied all allegations.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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