Nine-Time Convicted Felon Avoids Aggravated Rape Conviction, Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Strangulation

Editor’s Notes: Excerpts from the police report are edited slightly for smoother readability.  

Prosecutors with the Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office (SAO8) dropped a man’s charge for aggravated sexual battery, signing a plea deal where he was sentenced to five years in prison for felony battery by strangulation. 

Alachua Police Department Ofc. Tonya Williams made contact with the victim in the hospital on January 29, 2025, a few days after the attack.

The victim explained that she was sleeping in an empty lot when an unknown man, later identified as Taverous Tywon Lorenza Williams, 49, approached her and asked if her name was “Chrissy.” The victim said she was not, and Williams walked away.

The victim went back to sleep, but she was awoken again by Williams, who grabbed her by the throat, making her unable to breathe. Williams reportedly stabbed the victim on the head with a sharp object, threatened to kill her and raped her. During the attack, the victim’s phone fell to the ground, and Williams reportedly stole it before leaving. 

The victim had visible injuries to her neck area and a small puncture wound on the top of her head. 

Ofc. Tonya reported, “Prior to leaving Shands, the victim provided me [with] a more detailed description of where she was sleeping at the location in which the incident occurred. After leaving the hospital, myself and Ofc. Weitzel went to the location described by the victim to investigate further. Due to the time of the year, there was a consistent ground cover of fallen leaves from overhead trees. Ofc. Weitzel and I observed a small area of disturbed ground (leaves had been scattered and pushed aside) in close proximity to a palmetto bush described by the victim. The area was indicative of a possible struggle.”

Officers found various items scattered around the area, including a pair of scissors. Tests later showed the scissors “gave chemical indications for the presence of blood.” Further, DNA testing showed “the qualifying offender” as Williams. 

In May 2025, Ofc. Tonya was granted a search warrant to see if Williams’ DNA was consistent with prior testing. She reported, “While speaking to Williams, I advised him that I was there in reference to an ongoing investigation and had a search warrant to take a buccal swab from his person. I provided Williams with a copy of the signed Search Warrant, but did not question him or advise him of the nature of the investigation. I advised Williams that I would follow up with him when more information was received, if warranted. Again, I did not mention anything about a sexual battery incident or case. While out with Williams, I advised him the case in question occurred in January. Williams stated, ‘in January?’ and advised that he was in jail on January 18. Williams asked where the incident occurred and I advised him that it occurred in a lot next to a convenience store. I collected the buccal swab and provided Williams with the search warrant. Before walking away, I explained to Williams that I appreciated him being cooperative and I asked him if he had questions for me. Williams spontaneously stated, ‘I remember what (inaudible) is talking about, because I slept down here at one point in time. I slept there. I'm pretty sure ya'll saw me. There's still rubbers (condoms) out there and that's careless of me, because I might have put myself in a position for someone to take my used rubbers and take my DNA, because I was out here getting high. I was high on drugs,’ but he stated that he isn't doing that anymore.”

In June 2025, Alachua Police Department officers arrested Williams and charged him with sexual battery (rape), felony battery by strangulation, petty theft and hindering communications between a victim and law enforcement. 

At the time of his arrest, Williams already had 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 police report states. 

Prosecutors did not pursue the charge for hindering police communications, but they enhanced the sexual battery charge to sexual battery with a deadly weapon or force.

On July 6, 2026, prosecutors dropped the aggravated sexual battery charge they filed against Williams, along with the count of petty theft he was also facing. In a no-contest plea agreement, Williams was convicted of battery by strangulation and sentenced to five years in prison, the maximum sentence for the third-degree felony charge. 

When asked about the disposition of the case, SAO8 Public Information Officer Darry Lloyd told GnvInfo that they were prepared to move forward with trial but the victim was not due to personal reasons. 

On July 22, 2026, Williams was transferred into the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections. This is his 6th Florida prison sentence. He has previously served time for aggravated battery against a pregnant victim and several other charges.