Homeless man arrested for sexually battering 14-year-old runaway

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Daryl James Fowler, 33, has been charged with three counts of sexual battery for allegedly raping a 14-year-old runaway he met at a bus stop.

The victim told a Gainesville Police Department detective that Fowler approached her near the Rosa Parks Transfer Station (700 SE 3rd Street), and she told him she was 14 years old and homeless. She said he offered to take her back to his tent, and she agreed.

The victim told the detective that they walked up a street full of car dealerships and then turned into a neighborhood before Fowler led her to a campsite; she provided a detailed description of the campsite and how to get there.

The detective reported that the campsite, found in the woods near Pine Forest (the 4200 block of NE 2nd Way), was exactly as the victim had described, and there was a bicycle with Fowler’s name on it.

The victim said that after they arrived at the campsite, Fowler told her someone had been murdered recently in the woods and that nobody would hear her if she screamed. She said she became uncomfortable and tried to leave, but Fowler grabbed her hair and told her she was not going anywhere, and then he raped her three times.

The victim said she left the campsite after Fowler went to work, and he told her he worked at Taco Bell near Arby’s; she provided Fowler’s first name and his age.

Officers went to Taco Bell (1515 SW 13th Street) and asked the manager if anyone named Daryl worked there; the manager reportedly showed them a picture of Fowler. The victim identified Fowler in a photo lineup.

Fowler, whose address is listed as GRACE Marketplace, has been charged with false imprisonment and three counts of sexual battery of a victim under the age of 18. His full criminal history is unavailable, but court documents state that his history includes grand theft, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and possession of cocaine. Judge Jonathan Ramsey ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.

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.