Jury finds Bradenton man guilty of kidnapping

A six-person jury found a Bradenton man guilty of six charges related to the kidnapping and sexually battering of a woman.

Prosecutors said Nathan T. Koziol, 24, entered the victim’s house in the early morning of Aug. 23, 2016, and dragged her to the garage by her hair. He then used his .40 caliber firearm to pistol whip and sexually batter her while her four children slept in the home.

Koziol then forced the 27-year-old woman to drive him from Palmetto to an apartment complex in Bradenton while he continued to use his firearm to threaten and beat her. That’s where Koziol fell asleep with the gun in his lap and the victim escaped.

Law enforcement discovered Koziol asleep in the apartment along with the firearm he used to commit the crime. The woman was able to return safely to her kids at home.

“We appreciate the jury’s dedication and careful deliberations in this case,” said State Attorney Ed Brodsky in a statement. “We are inspired by the victim’s courage and hope this verdict will bring her closure.”

Koziol was found guilty of six charges: armed sexual battery with a firearm, armed kidnapping with a firearm, armed burglary with a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A sentencing date has not been determined, but Koziol faces a 10-year minimum sentence and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The trial took place at the Manatee County Courthouse Dec. 4, 5 and 7.

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Jury finds Bradenton man guilty of kidnapping."