Staff report
A troubling incident in Gainesville, Florida, has led to Daryl James Fowler, age 33, facing three charges of sexual battery. Authorities allege that he raped a 14-year-old girl who had run away from home, after meeting her at a local bus stop.
According to the victim’s account to a detective from the Gainesville Police Department, the encounter began near the Rosa Parks Transfer Station located at 700 SE 3rd Street. The girl, who informed Fowler that she was 14 and without a home, said he offered her refuge at his tent, and she accepted the invitation.
As she recounted to the detective, the duo walked past a series of car dealerships before turning into a local neighborhood. Their walk ended at a campsite, which the victim was able to describe in great detail, including directions to reach it.
Investigators confirmed the existence of the campsite in a wooded area close to Pine Forest, particularly the 4200 block of NE 2nd Way. The site closely matched the victim’s description, and police found a bicycle at the location bearing Fowler’s name, corroborating her report.
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.