VERNON, Fla. (WDNews) — According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, a Vernon man already facing felony drug charges was later arrested on allegations of sexually battering a child younger than 12.
John Robert Perkins, 42, was first arrested on Jan. 31, 2026, after a traffic stop on Highway 77 near Cane Mill Road in Wausau. According to an arrest report, deputies stopped the vehicle for traffic violations and later found a camouflage bag on the passenger-side floorboard where Perkins had been sitting. Investigators said the bag contained a glass smoking device with approximately 0.2 grams of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Perkins was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and possession or use of drug paraphernalia in that case.
Several months later, on June 28, 2026, Perkins was arrested again after a Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse.
According to a probable cause affidavit, investigators began the investigation after receiving a report from a family member who said a child disclosed sexual abuse. Investigators interviewed the child and gathered additional evidence before obtaining an arrest warrant.
Perkins was charged with sexual battery on a child under 12 by a person 18 or older. Jail records also show the earlier drug possession and drug paraphernalia charges remained listed when he was booked.
Court records show Perkins is being held on a $150,000 bond for the child sex battery charge, along with $2,500 for possession of a controlled substance and $1,000 for possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation remains ongoing. Because the alleged victim is a minor, WDNews is withholding details from the affidavit that could identify the child.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Perkins is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
