Junior Member of the Gators Track and Field Team Dismissed Charged with Sexual Battery

Sexual battery, or rape as it is commonly referred, is a very severe accusation under Florida law, and taken quite seriously by Florida law enforcement. A broad definition of sexual battery is forced penetration of a sexual nature, which is essentially non consensual sex between two individuals. The attorneys at Whittel & Melton represent those accused of sexual battery throughout the greater Gainesville area, including Alachua, Williston, Bronson, Newberry and Ocala as well as throughout the state of Florida.

A University of Florida track and field team distance runner from South Africa has supposedly been dismissed from the Gator team after he was arrested last week and accused of raping his roommate’s friend.

According to the Gainesville Police Department, the alleged incident occurred in June when the supposed victim spent the night at her friend’s house who lives with the accused. The arrest report indicates that the woman woke up to being sexually assaulted.

The 22-year-old runner allegedly told police the woman was semi-conscious when he had sex with her; the police report states he left when she awoke.

UF athletic officials said they are aware of the arrest and that the man is no longer a member of the University of Florida track and field team.

He has been charged with sexual battery and is being held in the Alachua County Jail with bail set at $100,000.

The fact that this accusation is directed at an athlete at a high-profile University could play a factor in making police investigate the case rather swiftly. The mere notion of a rape charge creates a lot of hype and unfortunately can motivate a less than objective investigation. It is important to remember that even if you have been arrested and charged with rape in Florida, you have rights and you should evoke them as soon as possible. By contacting a skilled Rape Defense Lawyer at the first signs of an accusation or even arrest, we can protect your rights. Law enforcement officials tend to side with the alleged victim even if physical evidence shows otherwise.

All rape cases are unique and a thorough investigation into the specifics of all the events leading up to your arrest can provide advantageous evidence on your behalf. At Whittel & Melton we can dissect your case and the elements that the prosecution will most likely bring forward. By contacting our offices early on we can attack the charges brought against you from all angles. Remember, speaking to an officer about your case without an attorney present could be self-incriminating and potentially devastating to a strong defense; the fact that you asked to speak to an attorney can never be used against you if your case goes to trial.

If you are facing any kind of sexual battery charge in the Gainesville area or anywhere in the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers online or call us at our Gainesville office at 352-264-7800 or reach us toll-free at 866-608-5529.