close
close
bsxonair

Man accused of raping 80-year-old woman in Ocala, Florida, sentenced

Gillberg
Man accused of raping 80-year-old woman in Ocala, Florida, sentenced

Just over two weeks ago, Taquino Williams attended a competency hearing where District Judge Robert Hodges heard from expert witnesses arguing for and against the belief that Williams was competent to participate in his upcoming rape trial.

Williams, 33, was declared competent to stand trial by the judge and was scheduled to go on trial in October. Williams, who faces similar charges in Texas, has been told he could face a life sentence in Florida if convicted of raping an 80-year-old woman in her southwest Ocala apartment.

On Thursday, Williams decided not to try his luck in front of a jury. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 40 years in prison, followed by two years of probation, according to a plea agreement.

Williams was in the courtroom alongside his attorney, Assistant Public Defender Sean Gravel. Williams received credit for 581 days of time served in county jail. He is prohibited from having any contact with his victims.

Williams is subject to Florida’s Jimmy Ryce Act, which took effect in 1999. The law states that inmates with a history of sex offenses must be evaluated before being released from prison to determine if they pose a risk of reoffending. If so, they can be subject to civil charges and sent to a closed facility for treatment.

The Jimmy Ryce Act was created to commemorate 9-year-old Jimmy Ryce, a South Florida boy who was kidnapped, raped, murdered, and dismembered by Juan Carlos Chavez in 1995. Chavez later died by lethal injection in 2014.

Because Williams is not a U.S. citizen, he could be deported upon his release. He will also have to register as a sex offender, provide a DNA sample, and pay fines and court costs.

When asked by the judge if he wanted to say anything before the verdict was announced, Williams said no.

When Williams was arrested, he was charged with several counts, including sexual battery while armed, armed burglary, and possession of burglary tools.

Assistant District Attorney Drew Brandies prosecuted the case.

About the cases

Ocala police officers were notified of a sexual assault on an 80-year-old woman at Saddleworth Green, an apartment complex at 2901 SW 41st St., on February 1, 2023. Williams was taken into custody by police officers two days later. The victim is now 81.

In an interview with investigators, Williams said he entered the victim’s apartment and went into her bedroom, where he poked the woman with a screwdriver. After sexually assaulting her, Williams repeatedly tried to choke her, authorities said.

Williams said he knew the apartment complex and had entered apartments when no one was there, investigators said. The man said the screwdriver was useful for kidnapping people, according to the police report of the interview.

Previous coverage of this case: Man who allegedly raped older woman in apartment is fit to stand trial

In court, the judge was told of another incident in which Williams entered the women’s shower at a gym. A woman was in the shower but was not injured, officials said.

In the Texas case, Williams is accused of entering a woman’s apartment and raping her at knifepoint. The case is ongoing, officials said.

Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected]

Related Posts