U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer arrested on child molestation charges

KINGSLAND, Ga. — A U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer was arrested after Kingsland police said he exposed himself twice to a 9-year-old girl at a store last month.

Kingsland Police said it was 40-year-old Chief Petty Officer Robert Holzheuser, currently stationed on the USS Georgia at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

A member of the girl’s family tells Action News Jax she is doing fine, but did not want to say anything else about the investigation.

The police report shows the girl’s mother reported that on Dec. 22, a man exposed himself to her daughter while she was shopping for tools with her family at Lowe’s in Kingsland.

The girl’s mother told police a man was walking closely behind them inside the store and her daughter suddenly became frightened, started crying and said she wanted to leave.

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The report reveals police saw a man matching the mother’s description in the store’s surveillance video, although it does not show him expose himself.

Police said the video helped lead them to Holzheuser, who they said confessed.

“All I can say anymore is it just makes me really sad,” said Lowe’s shopper Karen Vandenbosch. “I wouldn’t want that to happen to anybody. It just makes me sad. I wouldn’t want that to happen to our kids or our grandkids.”

Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs Officer Lt. Lily Hinz released a statement:

"The Navy is aware of the allegations made against Chief Petty Officer Robert Holzheuser and is cooperating with local authorities in their investigation. The local Naval Criminal Investigative Service is working with civilian authorities in the execution of this investigation. The Navy takes Sailor misconduct very seriously, no matter where it takes place. We maintain high standards for our personnel and hold accountable those who fall short."

Holzheuser is charged with felony child molestation and misdemeanor indecent exposure.

He bonded out of jail on Tuesday, 24 hours after he was booked.

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