Gainesville man charged with rape

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Michael Anthony Johnson, 56, was arrested early this morning and charged with sexual battery after allegedly raping an acquaintance.

The victim told an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy that she had been spending time with Johnson, who she described as “an acquaintance,” on May 19 when he began making unwanted sexual advances. She said she told him she did not want to have sex, but he forced her onto the bed and removed her pants while holding her down, then raped her. She said he also had her cell phone and EBT card.

A deputy made contact with Johnson at his home, and Johnson reportedly stated spontaneously that the woman was lying about him; when asked who he was talking about, he gave the victim’s name. He reportedly denied having sex with her but said he had masturbated while “fooling around with her.” When the deputy asked what he meant by “fooling around,” he reportedly said, “Feeling each other’s genitals and kissing.”

The deputy asked whether he had the victim’s cell phone, and Johnson reportedly said one of the three cell phones in his possession was hers. He denied having her EBT card, but a search of his wallet, incident to arrest, reportedly produced the victim’s EBT card.

Johnson’s full criminal history is unavailable, but he has served two state prison terms for drug trafficking and battery on a law enforcement officer, both out of Broward County, with his most recent release in 2011. Judge Meshon Rawls ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.