Volusia County Man Charged with Rape and Kidnapping

A 29-year-old Daytona Beach, FL man is accused of kidnapping and raping a woman he allegedly put in a chokehold and dragged to a nearby bedroom.

The woman was supposedly en route to Bethune-Cookman University to meet a friend when the man offered her a cigarette. According to an affidavit from the Daytona Beach Police Department, the woman went to accept the cigarette when she was choked by the man, taken to a residence and raped.

The woman evidently told police the man released her and she called 9-1-1. The man allegedly denied the accusations and was arrested Monday.

The man remained in Volusia County as of Wednesday night in lieu of $70,000 bond.

A rape charge in Florida carries a minimum of around five years and a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted. Along with this comes the possibility of being a lifetime registered sex offender, which can rob you of your privacy and simple freedoms.

For a charge of sexual battery to stick, prosecutors must prove that intentional touching occurred for the purposes of sexual gratification without the consent of both parties. Sexual battery charges in Florida can be broad which makes it likely for prosecutors to relate these charges to a variety of sexual activities. The Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will apply all applicable resources to challenge the prosecution’s case and attain the best possible outcome for your distinct situation. Defenses depend on the nature of the sexual battery case, but can include lack of intent or sexual motive by the accused, consent or credibility of the victim, absence of witness testimony, nonexistent physical evidence and of course any favorable evidence that supports the defendant’s innocence.

There is no requirement that the victim of sexual battery be injured, so physical evidence can have a large impact on a rape case. Physical evidence can be visible, scientific or tangible and either corroborates or invalidates a theory. Physical evidence can include bite marks, bruises, scratches, DNA, ripped clothing and medical records. An aggressive Rape Defense Attorney can downplay and discredit any damaging evidence and highlight any favorable data. Our attorneys can carefully tailor an effective defense strategy for you; we work intimately with expert witnesses and private investigators to cover all our evidentiary bases.

If you are currently under investigation or have been arrested or charged with sexual battery anywhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online, in our Ocala, Orlando or Jacksonville locations or reach us 352-369-5334 or toll-free at 866-608-5529.