Former Capone's Manager and Alleged Rapist Posts Bond
Former Capone's nightclub manager and alleged rapist Walter Aleman was released from the Alachua County Jail on August 18 after posting a $250,000 bond, court records show.
Aleman is required to wear a GPS monitor and not have contact with the victim, Judge David Kreider ordered.
According to the arrest report, on July 2, Aleman, a 45-year-old man, got the college-aged victim drunk at the Salty Dog Saloon before taking her back to his apartment and raping her.
When the victim woke up, she called 911, saying she didn’t know where she was. Officers responded and separately interviewed Aleman and the victim.
Aleman told officers the victim was “obviously flirting” with him, but police say video footage from the bar contradicts his statement.
Aleman told police he awoke to his dogs barking and police at the door, but this is a lie, as 911 audio showed the victim asking him for privacy when she called, the arrest report states.
A forensic exam shows Aleman physically injured the victim. The arrest report states the injuries were consistent with forceful sexual battery.
Aleman texted the victim after the rape and showed up to her workplace twice, being kicked out by management the second time.
On July 16, Gainesville Police Department detectives conducted a controlled text exchange with Aleman using the victim’s phone, and he made contradictory statements.
Officers ultimately arrested Aleman on July 22 and charged him with three counts of sexual battery, court records show.
According to the arrest report, after police detained Aleman and read him his Miranda rights, he “provided an account of the evening that was contradicted almost entirely by video surveillance footage. [Aleman told police] that due to erectile dysfunction he was unable to have sexual intercourse with the victim. Later, [Aleman] admits to lying to [police] when he [said] he was unable to have sexual intercourse with the victim due to erectile dysfunction. [Aleman] explains that he was purposely trying to mislead [police] about what happened between [him] and the victim in his apartment that night to avoid criminal liability.”
Two witnesses at Salty Dog told police they witnessed Aleman with the victim and that she appeared to be intoxicated.
“As we learned of the situation, we took immediate action to suspend the individual pending the outcome of the legal process," Capone's said in a statement on Instagram responding to Aleman’s arrest.
In their statement, Capone's said Aleman’s offenses are “in no way connected” to their “operations or environment.”
According to the statement, Capone's’ “top priorities are the safety and wellbeing” of guests and staff, and they are “committed to maintaining a respectful, professional atmosphere for everyone.”
One of the witnesses told police she used to work for Aleman but stopped because of his inappropriate behavior, the arrest report states. She said Aleman made her feel uncomfortable.
Capone's prevented members of the public from commenting on the Instagram post that hosts the statement.
The State Attorney’s Office filed a pretrial detention motion on Aleman, attempting to hold him in jail while his case proceeds, but it was denied by Kreider.
Four friends and family of Aleman wrote letters of support to Kreider ahead of his pretrial detention hearing.
Finleigh Fitton-Prange wrote, “I am writing this letter in support of Walter Mauricio Aleman, who is currently before your court. I have known Walter for 1.5 years as my manager, wedding photographer/videographer, and friend. During the time that I have known Walter, I have always found him to be an individual of good moral character. He consistently demonstrates qualities of dependability, loyalty, selflessness, kindness, and respect. The moment I met Walter, I learned he filmed weddings and before I had a venue booked or even started planning anything, he said he would film it and that he did. From those first conversations and introductions, I knew I could rely on him, and he has never let me down. Shortly after, my husband and I were looking for work and he immediately helped us find that - he even went in on his own time to train my husband so he could start work the following day. On my first day of a new job, he brought friends and some of his staff to support me, without me ever having to ask. Working for Walter, if I ever needed something, he would immediately drop anything and everything to help me out even in his busiest times. Walter's commitment to others is nothing short of extraordinary and he always makes sure you are taken care of. Whether a stranger or friend, every encounter I have witnessed or been a part of with Walter is always completely and authentically genuine. The love and care Walter emits and demonstrates in his day-to-day life has allowed me to consider him a safe space over the time I have had the honor and privilege to know him. Walter has become a significant part of my life and my husband's as his comfort and sincerity always feels like home; we consider him family. Walter is an upstanding member of the community and his involvement in the community has been a joy and pleasure to watch and be a part of as he makes friends wherever he goes - he makes a community anywhere and everywhere and he consistently stands as the heart of that.”
Christian Tomasoni wrote, “I have known Walter for over 25 years, and during this time, I have had the opportunity to observe hís character closely, both as a friend and as someone who has lived with him. In all the years I have known Walter, I have never witnessed him act abusively or disrespectfully toward women or anyone else. He has always conducted himself in a respectful and calm manner in my presence. Walter has consistently demonstrated integrity, responsibility, and kindness. He has always been someone who cared deeply about his family and friends, and he has shown himself to be dependable and supportive in countless situations. I récognize that the charges against him are serious, and I do not intend to minimize their gravity. I simply wish to offer my honest account of the person I have known for two decades. With full awareness of the court's responsibility to ensure justice and public safety, I respectfully ask that you consider granting bond for Walter, I believe that he will comply fully with all conditions the court sets and will appear for all proceedings. In my experience, Walter has never given reason to doubt his reliability or trustworthiness. Thank you for your time and attention to this letter. Please know that I am available should you need any further information or clarification."
Neldo Santos wrote, “I have known Walter for nearly 30 years, and I hope to offer some perspective on the person I have come to know over these many years. I first met Walter through his father, Jorge Aleman, who began working as a handyman at my home and later became a trusted family friend. Walter would often accompany his father to help with work around the house. Over time, he became a regular presence, forming a bond with my stepson and spending considerable time with our family. In all the years I have known Walter, I have never known him to be anything but respectful, polite, and helpful. He has always carried himself with integrity, and I have never witnessed him act in a way that was aggressive, abusive, or harmful to anyone. In fact, quite the opposite--he was someone we welcomed into our home, and he earned our trust through his consistent good character. I understand that he is now facing serious allegations, and I do not wish to speak to the legal matters themselves. I simply want to share, truthfully, that from my long experience knowing Walter, I find it very hard to believe he would do anything to hurt another person. With that said, I respectfully ask the court to consider granting bond to Walter. I believe he will comply with any conditions the court sets and will appear for all proceedings.”
Walter Aleman’s younger sister wrote, “Walter has always been an amazing brother, son, uncle, family member, friend and more. He has always been known as the hero of our family, that is why I am beyond shocked and extremely saddened to hear of the accusations against him, especially knowing he has no violent criminal history or aggressive behavior in his life. Walter is a ball of pure love, joy, laughter and I can confidently say this from knowing him my entire life, from an infant to a grown woman. Walter was raised well in an almost all women household with a single mother and 3 sisters. We are a very tight knit family. He has always been our support system and protector. When I was a child my brother Walter saved my life from drowning in a pool, he also saved our other sister from choking. He has also saved or helped many others throughout his life and he is a truly amazing human being and will forever be our hero. Walter is the kind of person who can get a call in the middle of the night and/or drop everything to help family, friends, animals or even a stranger in need. He is the kind of son who never misses a Mother's Day with our mom. He is a doting uncle to many nieces and nephews who adore him as well. Walter is a hard working, talented artist who goes above and beyond in everything he does. His clients even become his friends. He is kind, loving, funny, responsible, reliable and a man of his word. I write you in hopes to tell you about how amazing and loved he is but also in hopes that you will consider granting a reasonable bail for Walter. He is a dog dad and his 2 dogs are his life and vice versa and they are in agony without his care and presence, so much so that it's causing them to have daily accidents at our mom's house, that is just how much even his dogs love, adore and miss Walter, as does his family, friends and many others. I completely understand this is a serious matter and so does our entire family, including Walter. So we are all taking these accusations very seriously and I as well as many others can assure you that Walter is not a flight risk and will do the right thing, if he is given the opportunity to. He always has. Our family cannot eat, sleep or function knowing Walter is in this situation.”
As of this writing, the State Attorney’s Office hasn’t formally filed Aleman’s charges.
