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Homestead Man Accused Of Molesting And Battering Girls At Pool

HOMESTEAD (CBSMiami) – Against the advice of his attorney, 36-year-old James Roberts seemed to pour his heart out to a bond court judge Monday, saying the allegations that he inappropriately touched young girls at a pool were untrue.

"Miss, this is a tragic misunderstanding and believe me I have never had a problem with coming to court and I never will. And I will come and fight this whole case vigorously as I possibly can," said Roberts.

He asked the judge to release him from jail so he can go home to his son and other family members.

"I'm just hoping you'll be a little lenient and allow me to be able to be with my family," said Roberts.

The judge denied Roberts bond.

Investigators say the incidents happened Sunday afternoon at the clubhouse pool of the gated Waterstone community in Homestead at 4002 Waterstone Way. The girls' parents were there.

Homestead Police say Roberts was playing around with the girls at the pool and even had one of them on his shoulders at one point to play a game of chicken. But police say he took advantage of them by touching four of their buttocks and molesting a nine-year-old.

Neighbors can't believe this happened at their community pool.

"That's horrible. Yeah I bring my little ones to the pool. That's horrible to be honest with you, that's horrible," resident Maurcio Porven told CBS4's Natalia Zea.

Neighbors also wonder why Roberts, whose listed address is five miles away was in this pool in the first place.

"This area is very family-oriented. Just to get in here you have to get approved- credit check, background check so the fact that he got in this area is kind of astounding," said resident Kevin Dimurro.

They're glad Roberts is locked up.

"I don't know what I'll do if that happens to one of my kids," said Porven.

"What would you say to him if he was here right now?" asked Zea.

"I don't want to say that on TV to be honest with you. I don't want to say that on TV," Porven laughed.

Roberts has been charged with four counts of battery and one count of lewd molestation of a minor.

He is already on probation for carrying a concealed weapon.

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