NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — A 44-year-old Scout leader from Yulee was arrested Friday, October 16, 2026, following allegations that he repeatedly touched a teenager in an unwanted and sexual manner, according to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO).
Brandon Wayne Meredith, 44, faces one count of lewd or lascivious battery and one count of battery.
Meredith was booked into the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center on October 16 with bond set at $65,000.
Investigators are asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Meredith to contact the sheriff’s office.
Teen Reports Repeated Unwanted Sexual Contact
According to NCSO, the investigation began October 16 when detectives responded to the victim’s residence to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct.
During the investigation, the teenager reported that Meredith had touched them in an unwanted and sexual manner on multiple occasions.
Following the investigation, detectives arrested Meredith on the two charges.
The sheriff’s office did not disclose the victim’s age, gender or relationship to Meredith beyond identifying the alleged victim as a teenager.
Authorities also have not specified when or where the alleged incidents occurred or whether they were connected to Meredith’s activities as a Scout leader.
The victim’s identity is being withheld because the allegations involve a minor.
Meredith Booked Into Nassau County Jail on $65,000 Bond
Meredith was arrested and booked into the Nassau County Jail and Detention Center on Friday, October 16.
He faces the following charges:
- Lewd or Lascivious Battery
- Battery
The sheriff’s office reported that Meredith’s bond was set at $65,000.
Court Records Show Previous Reckless Driving Conviction
A review of publicly available Florida court records identified a previous traffic-related criminal case involving Meredith in St. Johns County.
According to those records, Meredith was arrested by St. Augustine Police officers in June 2025 on a driving under the influence charge.
The charge was subsequently reduced to reckless driving, and Meredith was convicted of that offense in 2025.
He received a three-month probation sentence, which terminated in December 2025.
The prior reckless driving conviction is unrelated to the current sexual misconduct allegations.
A search of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s public Sex Offender Registry did not return a matching registration for Meredith. However, the absence of a registry listing does not independently establish that a person has never been convicted of a sexual offense, since registration requirements vary by offense and circumstances.
Sheriff Bill Leeper Encourages Potential Victims to Come Forward
Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper emphasized that his office takes allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors seriously.
“We take allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors extremely seriously,” Leeper said.
“We encourage anyone who believes they may have been victimized to come forward so our detectives can investigate and ensure those concerns are addressed.”
The sheriff’s office has not publicly indicated whether investigators have identified any additional alleged victims.
Detectives Request Information From Public
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Meredith to contact investigators.
Investigative Contact: Detective Chloey Reifschneider
Email: Ch1612@nassauso.com
The investigation remains ongoing.