Bradenton man charged with sexually assaulting woman in her home, deputies say
A Bradenton man faces a first-degree felony charge after deputies say he attacked and sexually assaulted a woman inside her home, according to an arrest report.
Samuel A. Vazquez-Cruz, 34, is charged with sexual battery. Deputies say the incident happened on March 18, when Vazquez-Cruz went to the home of an acquaintance and made unwanted advances before sexually assaulting her, according to an arrest report.
An attorney representing Vazquez-Cruz did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
Bradenton man charged with sexual battery
Investigators say Vazquez-Cruz was intoxicated when he went to the victim’s home and made unwanted advances, which she rejected, according to the arrest report.
The woman, who had known Vazquez-Cruz for several years, told deputies he grabbed her from behind and pulled her into a bedroom, according to the report.
Deputies say the victim tried to fight back as Vazquez-Cruz carried out a violent sexual assault that left her with numerous injuries.
The assault was interrupted when a neighbor knocked on the door, prompting Vazquez-Cruz to cover the woman’s mouth and threaten to kill her if she screamed, according to the report. He left after she pleaded with him to stop and promised not to call law enforcement, according to investigators.
Suspect continued to harass victim, deputies say
The woman initially did not report the incident but contacted deputies days later after Vazquez-Cruz repeatedly returned to her home at night, knocking on doors and windows and causing her to fear for her safety, according to the arrest report.
A neighbor told investigators he spoke with the woman shortly after the incident and observed fresh bruising on her face, corroborating her account, according to the report. Deputies also collected clothing with apparent blood stains and documented injuries through photographs.
During an interview with detectives, Vazquez-Cruz admitted he was at the home but denied any physical or sexual contact, telling deputies they only discussed personal matters, according to the arrest report.
Deputies arrested Vazquez-Cruz and booked him into the Manatee County Jail, where he remains in custody, according to jail records.
Judge grants bond for sexual battery suspect
Vazquez-Cruz is charged under Florida’s sexual battery statute, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison if convicted under Florida law.
Court records show Vazquez-Cruz pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial. Prosecutors initially sought to hold Vazquez-Cruz without bond but later dropped that request, and Circuit Judge Frederick Mercurio granted a defense motion to reduce his bond.
Court records show Vazquez-Cruz was ordered to have no contact with the victim as a condition of his release.
Vazquez-Cruz is scheduled for arraignment in May, according to court records.
