Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Corey Jamaal Daniels, 25, who has been in jail since December 22 on multiple charges from six different cases, has now been charged with sexual battery of a 16-year-old girl who said she was on a break from work when he raped her.

The girl called 911 on December 2 to report that a man was chasing her and “trying to rape her.” Deputies were unable to locate the caller, but a deputy reportedly found Daniels walking along SW 8th Avenue; Daniels allegedly ran from the deputy and was not captured.

Deputies later met with the girl, and she reportedly said Daniels previously touched her “in a way I shouldn’t have been touched,” but she had not said anything at the time. She later clarified that Daniels had penetrated her and that the rape had taken place on December 1.

During a forensic interview with the Child Protection Team, the girl reportedly said she had been “just chilling” behind the Hobby Lobby at 6111 W. Newberry Road on a break from work when the man approached and tried to talk to her. She said he made her uncomfortable, so she tried to leave, but he pinned her down and raped her; she said she tried to fight him, but he was too strong. She said she escaped as soon as he got off her.

The girl said she called 911 on December 2 because she saw the same man following her and was afraid he would rape her again.

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Daniels was reportedly identified by comparing a known nickname with law enforcement databases, and the identity was confirmed in a photo line-up by the victim.

Daniels was arrested on December 22 on unrelated charges. Post Miranda, he reportedly admitted having intercourse with the victim behind Hobby Lobby and said she regularly invited him to join her there to smoke and eat together and that the intercourse was consensual. He said he thought the girl was an adult because she told him she was “grown.”

Daniels has been charged with sexual battery of a juvenile between the ages of 12 and 18 and resisting an officer. Judge William Davis set bail at $60,000, which will be added to the $205,000 previously set on other charges; he is being held without bond in one case.

Daniels, who is described as homeless in court documents, is also facing charges of violating probation in a 2021 domestic battery case, domestic battery, prowling, providing false identification to law enforcement, resisting an officer, theft, burglary, and robbery by sudden snatching. He has two felony convictions (both violent) and served a four-year sentence in state prison.

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.