An Orlando man is behind bars after deputies say he pointed a gun at two people inside his home and tried to force them into sex. One victim bolted from the property and ran roughly a mile to a business to call for help, while a second victim, a 20-year-old woman, managed to escape after a brief struggle. Investigators say the suspect resisted deputies, caused heavy damage to a patrol vehicle, and was ultimately taken into custody, where he is being held without bond.
What the arrest documents say
Arrest documents reviewed by WESH state that the first victim met 38-year-old Tony Andesron Jr. on a social media app and went to what deputies describe as a garage that had been converted into a studio-type apartment. According to those records, Andesron pushed the man to the ground, pointed a gun at him, and demanded sex. The victim got away, ran to a neighbor, then kept running until he reached a business about a mile away, where he called his mother for a ride.
How the victims got away
The second person who spoke with deputies told investigators she was at Andesron’s home after he picked her up, and that he forced her onto a bed, pointed a gun at her, and ordered her to undress. She escaped after a brief struggle and later reported what happened. Advocacy groups say that when attacks occur at or near someone’s residence, victims often face steeper challenges in getting out or seeking help. RAINN notes that hundreds of thousands of Americans experience sexual violence each year and that many cases are never reported to law enforcement.
Charges, standoff and custody
Deputies arrested Andesron after both alleged victims contacted law enforcement, WESH reports. Court records list a series of felony charges, including attempted sexual battery with force, kidnapping with intent to commit a felony, aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment with a weapon, grand theft, criminal mischief, and resisting an officer. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Andesron resisted deputies for about 40 minutes and caused major damage to a deputy’s vehicle, which had to be towed from the scene.
Next steps and legal process
The Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit will review the arrest and decide whether to file formal charges. The office’s life-cycle guide explains that most criminal prosecutions begin with an arrest and are then assigned a case number for review and potential filing, according to the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Victims and witnesses may be contacted by prosecutors as the case moves forward, and can find information on rights and available resources on the State Attorney’s website.
Where to get help
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Survivors seeking confidential support can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE or connect via online chat through RAINN.
