BCSO: Charles Tanner of Cocoa Holds Woman Hostage for 5 Days; Strangled, Raped Victim Repeatedly

Tanner was arrested in 2013 and convicted of a similar crime

WATCH: Charles Tanner, 51, of Cocoa, has been arrested by Brevard County Sheriff’s agents and charged with raping and beating a female victim while holding her captive for five days in his house, according to a Brevard County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. (FOX 35 video)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Charles Tanner, 51, of Cocoa, has been arrested by Brevard County Sheriff’s agents and charged with raping and beating a female victim while holding her captive for five days in his house, according to a Brevard County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Tanner was charged with aggravated battery and assault, sexual battery, felony battery by second or subsequent offense, false imprisonment and sexual cyber harassment.

According to the BCSO arrest warrant, on Wednesday, June 8, deputies responded to a home where the neighbors said a woman in distress was pounding on their door begging for help.

According to the arrest record, the neighbors said the victim was naked and told the residents she had been raped, starved and was being held against her will by Tanner over a five-day period before escaping when he fell asleep.

The victim told BCSO Deputies that Tanner had repeatedly strangled her, whipped her with an electrical cord and sexually battered her with various objects. The victim was able to escape when Tanner was under the influence of methamphetamine.

According to authorities, Tanner was arrested in 2013 and convicted of a similar crime which included false imprisonment and two counts of aggravated battery. Tanner got a five-year prison sentence and was released in 2018.

The victim was taken to Rockledge Regional Hospital for treatment and Tanner is being held on no bond at the Brevard County jail.

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