More accusations of battery against a child

Historic City News has learned that another victim has come forward with allegations against a 53-year old St. Johns County man; who now faces additional charges of lewd and lascivious battery on a child.

The new victim spoke with detectives following last month’s arrest of James Howard Scharfschwerdt.

The victim is believed to have spent at least one night at Scharfschwerdt’s home. The victim claims that Scharfschwerdt supplied him with alcohol and fondled him.

According to an update from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit, the boy told his father about the alleged incident last month — after Scharfschwerdt was arrested on similar charges.

In the past, two additional victims have accused Scharfschwerdt with giving them alcohol and sexual fondling.

The original local investigation began seven months ago when one victim reported that Scharfschwerdt engaged in sexual activity with him — several years ago.

Detectives learned that the suspect was a former police officer from south Florida and was arrested in 1988 following similar allegations.

Detectives served a search warrant at Scharfschwerdt’s home in St. Johns County where they seized several items of possible evidence that are being forensically analyzed.

Scharfschwerdt remains in custody under three charges; in lieu of bonds totaling $1.5 million dollars.