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Florida trail attack suspect escorted to sheriff’s cruiser
Jacoby Tillman, a 23-year-old from Florida with a history of four felony charges over the past four years, was seen being led to a sheriff’s vehicle shortly before a judge authorized his release on a $9,500 bond. This release was connected to serious allegations of attempted murder and sexual assault on a local jogging trail.
Tillman, who has a record of violent offenses, evaded capture for two months before being detained on charges of rape and attempted murder. Despite the gravity of the accusations, he was released from jail after less than 48 hours on a $9,500 bond.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported that on the morning of July 25, Tillman allegedly assaulted a woman on the Little Econ Greenway trail. The attack occurred around 8:20 a.m., where he reportedly strangled her into unconsciousness.
In a court session scheduled for Tuesday morning, Judge Vincent Chiu responded to the prosecution’s request by revoking Tillman’s bond. Following this decision, he was expected to be transferred to the Orange County Jail.
According to court documents, Tillman’s girlfriend, whose identity has been withheld, informed detectives that Tillman confessed to her, saying, “I didn’t rape the lady. I was trying to kill the lady.” He allegedly further explained his actions by saying, “Because I wanted to know what it is like to choke someone out.”
Jacoby Tillman, 23, has four felony cases going back to 2021, plus a violent misdemeanor. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
She also alleged that Tillman had choked her previously and that his mother tried to help him avoid capture after she saw news coverage of the attack, including surveillance video.
The victim told deputies she awoke face down, with her shorts and undergarments gone, according to the court documents. The suspect was gone when she came to, and she ran for help. She encountered several other people further down the trail, and they called 911 and gave her a spare set of shorts.
In addition to being choked unconscious, a police affidavit identified injuries to both of her eyes and her nose.
Jacoby Tillman, 23, glares at a photographer during his perp walk in connection with a jogging trail attack on a woman from behind. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
Further down the trail, another jogger saw a man matching Tillman’s description “sprinting” away, according to the affidavit. He told detectives he thought it was “odd” and then found the victim’s phone and car keys on the ground nearby.
Security cameras along the edge of the trail also allegedly recorded Tillman throwing the victim’s underwear over a fence.
The attack prompted authorities to warn women to remain vigilant while walking or running, stop using noise-canceling headphones and not to jog alone.
Jacoby Tillman, 23, is placed in the rear seat of a sheriff’s SUV. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
A shirtless Tillman was recorded glaring at a photographer and licking his lips when deputies walked him into a patrol vehicle.
After Tillman made bail at a hearing on Oct. 14, Sheriff John Mina called it “atrocious” in a Facebook post.
Court records in Orange County show Tillman has at least four felony cases going back to 2021, with convictions including robbery and the violent battery of a defenseless victim.
He was also convicted of misdemeanor battery in 2023.
In the latest case, he faces charges of first-degree attempted murder, attempted sexual battery with a deadly weapon or physical force, battery by strangulation and third-degree battery.
