Man charged with rape after allegedly overpowering victim

Staff report

Updated on January 5 with pre-trial detention information.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Travius Markell Davis, 23, was arrested on December 25 and charged with sexual battery after allegedly overpowering a woman who said she was in the early stages of a relationship with him.

The victim said she allowed Davis to enter her home at about 4:30 p.m. on December 24, and at some point he followed her into her bedroom without her knowledge and closed and locked the bedroom door behind him.

The victim said that when she asked him what he was doing, he picked her up, placed her on the bed, overpowered her, and raped her, and although she tried to escape, she was unable to stop him.

Post Miranda, Davis reportedly said the victim did not reply when he asked her if she wanted to have sex, and he interpreted her body language as consent, although he said she held a pillow over her face during the sexual encounter. He reportedly admitted to engaging in intercourse with her and said that after he left, he sent her texts to apologize for rushing their relationship.

Davis has been charged with sexual battery. He has no local criminal history. Judge Julie Johnson ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial. On January 2, Judge Robert Groeb granted the motion and ordered Davis to be held 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.