DNA test points to sex offender in Hastings

Historic City News has received word that the results of a September DNA test, have led to the arrest of a 35 year-old registered sexual offender living in Hastings.

Freddie Owen Felder, III, was arrested on a warrant at his residence on Daniels Street in Hastings. Felder has been taken into custody and is being held in the St. Johns County Detention Facility in lieu of $1,000,000 bond.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation on September 6, 2010, when a juvenile girl reported that a man entered her bedroom window and threatened her with a knife.

According to the victim, her attacker was wearing a mask to conceal his identity; however, DNA evidence was collected and sent to the FDLE lab for analysis.

The DNA profile from the evidence was compared to the CODIS database; which identified Felder as the contributor. An arrest warrant was obtained charging Felder with lewd or lascivious battery on a victim between the ages of 12-15.

At about 5:30 p.m. Friday, after the DNA test results were learned, Sheriff’s Detective Gazdick with the Special Victims’ Unit, went to the Hastings residence, where, armed with the warrant, the detective questioned Felder.

In May of 2000, Felder was convicted of attempted sexual battery with a weapon and was sentenced to 5+ years in prison. He was released in June 2003 following a Jimmy Ryce Act civil commitment hearing and was registered as a Sexual Offender.