Alachua Man Arrested on Warrant for Sexual Battery, Felony Battery, Theft and Tampering, Pretrial Detention Granted

Police arrested Taverous Tywon Lorenza Williams, 47, on June 16 on a warrant for sexual battery, felony battery, theft and tampering with police communications. 

On January 29, Alachua Police Department officers responded to Shands Hospital to speak with the victim about a sexual battery incident, the police report states. 

The victim said she was sleeping in an empty lot when a man she didn’t know approached and asked if her name was “Chrissy.” The victim said she was not, and the suspect walked away. 

The victim said the suspect walked around the lot to approach her from behind and grabbed her by the throat before raping her. The suspect grabbed the victim’s phone and fled the scene afterwards, preventing her from contacting the police.

The police report states officers matched Williams as the suspect using DNA evidence on the victim’s clothes. 

Officers visited the incident location and observed signs of a struggle. 

The police report states Williams “has a lengthy criminal history with Gainesville Police Department, Alachua, County Sheriff's Office, High Springs Police Department and Alachua Police Department, resulting in a total of nine felony convictions including felony battery and strangulation.”

The State Attorney’s Office filed a pretrial detention motion on Williams that was granted by Judge James Colaw on Tuesday.