Man accused of molesting child in St. Johns County

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Dennis Alan Ray hasn't even spent a full day in prison as of Monday night, but the 59-year-old could spend the rest of his days in a jail cell if he's convicted of three counts of capital sexual assault and two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation. 

A tip from the Department of Children and families led to the serious charges. 

Neighbors said they never saw it coming. "He was a pretty quiet man. Never spoke very much just saying hi and hello, like that," said neighbor Waymond Goss.  

Action News went to his home in St. Augustine in hopes of speaking with family members. 

His wife came to the door but did not want to talk on camera, but she did speak to us off camera.  She said she never suspected anything and didn't find out about the alleged sexual abuse until two weeks ago.  

Investigators said it started in 2004 and ended in 2007.We're told the child was 5 when it allegedly first happened and 8 when it allegedly stopped. 

Now investigators are putting their case together, hoping to keep Ray in jail for good. The investigation opened in April when the victim revealed what had allegedly happened.

DCF said the victim is getting help through counseling.

WJAX