Cocoa man repeatedly assaulted woman he held captive for 5 days, deputies say
WARNING: This story contains graphic details that may not be suitable for everyone.
Charles Tanner, 51, of Cocoa is accused of luring a woman to his home on Pineda Street in Cocoa promising “all the drugs she wanted.”
In the report from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the victim told deputies that she was starved, repeatedly beaten and sexually assaulted over five days. Medical records cited by deputies indicate that she had fractured ribs.
Neighbors were in disbelief.
“It’s really, really sad. Who in their right mind would do something like this? They can’t be in their right mind,” said Ella Adams who lives around the corner from Tanner.
According to the arrest affidavit, Tanner is facing six charges ranging from cyber-harassment to false imprisonment to sexual battery.
According to sheriff’s office records, Tanner and the woman knew each other for about five years. Tanner invited the victim over to his house on June 3 promising her heroin.
After consensual sex, investigators say Tanner became outraged when he learned the victim had a relationship with a Black man.
He used a racial slur and kicked her in the head. Tanner ultimately barricaded her in his bedroom and repeatedly threatened to kill her.
Investigators detail in their report that during this abuse Tanner took compromising photos of the victim and told her that he was going to send them to her Facebook friends, including her father.
The victim told deputies that Tanner became more paranoid from days of drug use.
Detectives say she escaped when Tanner fell asleep on June 8 and ran to a neighbor’s house. The report described her as naked and bruised as she banged on the door pleading for help.
The victim was taken to Rockledge Regional Hospital for evaluation once deputies arrived.
Tanner was arrested on Wednesday. He’s due back in front of a judge on July 26.