A man was arrested after authorities responded to a reported carjacking and sexual assault at a RaceTrac gas station near the border of Charlotte County and North Port.
The incident happened on Thursday and North Port police determined the carjacking happened in their jurisdiction. Charlotte County deputies determined the sexual assault happened in their area based on the victim's statements.
According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, the victim told deputies that she was grabbed through her open car window while she was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Tamiami Trail and Sumter Boulevard.
She said the man, later identified as 26-year-old Jorge Daniel Martin, asked her for a ride.
However, after she declined his request, she spoke politely with him, waiting for the light to change, and eventually gave in when asked again, CCSO said.
The victim told deputies that Martin quickly grabbed the steering wheel while she was driving and grabbed her by the throat. According to the CCSO news release, he told her he had killed someone before and would kill her as well if she did not do what he wanted.
According to the report, Martin forced her to drive to a secluded area and threw her phone when she attempted to contact someone for help.
Deputies said after Martin made another threat, he demanded the victim engage in sexual activity with him.
According to the news release, Martin repeatedly struck the victim in the face when she did not do as he wanted, and the sexual assault continued for a long time.
She was eventually able to trick Martin after the assault ended. Deputies said she got him to allow her to drive them to the RaceTrac for food, and then she asked the attendant to call 911.
According to CCSO, Martin grew suspicious of why she didn't return to the car, so he went inside the gas station to look for her. Law enforcement arrived shortly after and detained him.
He denied that the sexual battery ever occurred in several statements. However, investigators did not even mention an investigation of that nature.
CCSO said a Body Standards Search Warrant was conducted, and the evidence that was obtained matched the victim's description of the assault.
Martin was arrested and transported to Sarasota County Jail. According to CCSO, he is being held without bond on multiple charges based on the North Port Police Department's investigation.
Deputies said Martin will then face charges in Charlotte County to include kidnapping and sexual battery.
If you or someone is a victim of sexual assault, CCSO said you can contact the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (C.A.R.E.) in Charlotte County at (941)637-0404.
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