A Tampa man already locked up on charges that he raped and kidnapped two women at gunpoint is now tied by DNA evidence to a third sexual battery report from earlier this year, according to the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office. Troy Eubanks remains held without bond after a judge granted prosecutors' latest motion to keep him detained pending trial.
Eubanks was arrested in June after two women came forward separately, alleging he had committed carjackings and sexual batteries at gunpoint, according to WFLA. Prosecutors alleged in initial court filings that Eubanks armed himself with a weapon to kidnap and force victims he met through online services into sexual acts, and that in one incident he stole a victim's vehicle and left her stranded, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. He had contacted both women online and agreed upon a price for sex before the alleged attacks, according to WFLA.
DNA Match Surfaces Months After Arrest
The case took a new turn on September 29, when the Office of State Attorney Susan S. Lopez announced that DNA testing had formally matched Eubanks to an unsolved sexual battery report from March, prompting prosecutors to file another pretrial detention motion. A woman had reported that month that she was raped and held at gunpoint in Hillsborough County, and investigators now say Eubanks met all three women the same way: through online escort services before the alleged crimes occurred.
The DNA link emerged because Eubanks was already in custody when the database search returned a hit.
Charges Carry Life Felony Exposure
Eubanks was arrested on charges including sexual battery with a deadly weapon and kidnapping with a firearm.
Prosecutors sought to keep Eubanks detained, arguing he posed a danger, and a judge ordered him held without bond.
Advocates Point to Risks Facing Online Escorts
April Arnold of Survivor Ventures discussed a background-tool kit, while retired FBI agent Rich Kolko said the issue was not one of victim-blaming. The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office is handling the case as it moves forward.
Eubanks has not yet faced trial, and the allegations tied to all three reports remain pending charges subject to formal prosecution. He is being held without bond while the case proceeds through the courts.
