Ex-police officer avoids sex charge

A Gainesville Police officer who resigned in May while under internal investigation will not be prosecuted for his alleged sexual relationship with the woman who reported him to authorities.

John Bostick became the target of an investigation after a woman claimed she had a sexual encounter with Bostick against her wishes because she was afraid of him. The woman reportedly taped conversations with Bostick, who she said gave her advice on how to deal with law enforcement in different situations as well as plans he had for cases such as who would be targeted for arrest.

On Thursday afternoon, State Attorney Bill Cervone said his office would not prosecute Bostick for the alleged sexual battery.

"It may have been inappropriate behavior, but there was no evidence to suggest it was criminal behavior," Cervone told The Sun. However, Cervone did not rule out the possibility of prosecuting Bostick on other allegations.

"We are sifting through the information we have now and whatever else Gainesville Police may present to us," Cervone said.

Bostick resigned May 9 when officials conducting the internal investigation questioned him about whether he had given out information on specific, ongoing cases and investigations.

The investigation ultimately sustained allegations that Bostick had exhibited "immoral, unlawful or improper conduct" and that his "productivity or workmanship (was) not up to required standard of performance."

Cervone's staff wound up dropping 31 criminal cases, including 17 felony cases, because Bostick had been involved with them.

Prosecutors said they would have insufficient evidence to take the cases to court because Bostick was the only police witness.

The results of the internal investigation meant that Bostick's credibility was so damaged that he could not be used as a witness, prosecutors said.

Most of the cases that were dropped were drug cases for crimes like possession of cocaine or possessing a controlled substance without a prescription.

Bostick could not be reached for comment Thursday.