A convicted felon accused of attempting to rape a woman on a popular Orange County running trail has been released from jail on just $9,500 bail, despite prosecutors arguing he presents a danger to the community and the judge herself calling his criminal record “atrocious”.
Jacoby Vontrell Tillman, 23, walked out of Orange County Jail on Sunday after Judge Elaine Barbour granted him bond during a Saturday morning hearing, overruling state prosecutors who requested he be held without bail.
Tillman faces charges of attempted sexual battery, battery by strangulation, and false imprisonment in connection with a July 25 attack on the Little Econ Greenway Trail in Orange County, Florida.
Disturbing Confession
According to the arrest affidavit released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Tillman allegedly told someone after the attack: “I didn’t rape the lady, I was trying to kill the lady.”
He reportedly added: “I wanted to know what it was like to choke someone out.”
The victim, who was jogging on the trail near Yates Road shortly before 9 a.m., told investigators she was grabbed from behind and choked until she lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she discovered her shorts and underwear had been removed.
The woman suffered injuries to her eyes, ears, and nose and required hospitalisation for treatment.
History of Violence
Tillman’s release has sparked outrage, particularly given his extensive criminal history of attacking women.
In 2022, Tillman was convicted of misdemeanor battery after attacking 18-year-old Nuri Quin while she was jogging near Orange County Fire Rescue Station 63 on Goldenrod Road. Quin told WESH 2 News she was grabbed from behind by Tillman during her run.
“I was very scared in that moment. Blood, adrenaline was pumping,” Quin said, adding that she believes Tillman “is a danger, not just to women, but to kids.”
Court records reveal Tillman’s violent past includes:
- A 2022 attempted second-degree murder charge that was reduced to aggravated battery
- Convictions in 2023 for burglary and carrying a concealed firearm, resulting in a state prison sentence
- Multiple arrests in Volusia County on various charges
- Release from state prison in November 2023 – just nine months before the alleged trail attack
Judge’s Controversial Decision
During Saturday’s hearing, Judge Barbour acknowledged the severity of Tillman’s record before setting bail.
“You’ve got an atrocious record,” she told Tillman. “These charges are violent in nature.”
Despite this assessment, she set bond at $9,500 – broken down as $5,000 for attempted sexual battery, $1,500 for battery by strangulation, and $3,000 for false imprisonment.
The judge issued a stern warning: “If I get any inkling that you have violated your pre-trial release, you will be arrested on a no-bond warrant and you will not get out.”
Prosecutors Push Back
Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell strongly disagreed with the judge’s decision to grant bail.
“After reviewing the facts of this case, our office felt that the release of the defendant was not appropriate, and he presents a danger to our community,” Worrell said in a statement to FOX 35.
“We argued this point to the Judge and requested pretrial detention. Ultimately, the judge, in her authority, made the decision to issue a bond in the case.”
Worrell emphasised that her office “is not the final decision maker in matters such as these” and noted that “multiple entities are involved in the pursuit of justice, including law enforcement and the judicial branch.
Flight Risk Concerns
Prosecutors argued during the hearing that Tillman was a flight risk, citing evidence that his mother had allegedly attempted to help him flee the state after surveillance video of the attack aired on local news.
According to the arrest affidavit, detectives said Tillman’s mother tried to arrange a Delta Air Lines flight for him to leave Florida after the video was broadcast.
Tillman’s public defender pushed back against the flight risk claim, stating: “I do not believe that he is a flight risk in this case.”
Community Safety Fears
The decision to release Tillman has left previous victims and community members concerned for public safety.
Quin, who was attacked by Tillman in 2022, expressed dismay at his release, calling it “heartbreaking” that he is back on the streets.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer questioned the judge’s decision, particularly given Tillman’s alleged statements about wanting to kill the victim.
“That should have been in and of itself enough to deny bond as a danger to the community,” Sheaffer said.
Arrest After Public Tips
Tillman’s arrest came on October 10, following a tip received by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies had released surveillance video showing a person of interest moments before the July attack, which led to the tip that identified Tillman.
Detectives stated in the affidavit that they believe Tillman poses “a threat to the safety of the public.”
Bail Conditions
As conditions of his release, Tillman is prohibited from:
- Returning to the Little Econ Greenway Trail
- Having any contact, direct or indirect, with the victim
- Violating any other pre-trial release conditions
No date has been set for Tillman’s arraignment in the case.
The Little Econ Greenway Trail, a popular recreation area for runners and cyclists in Orange County, has been the site of multiple safety concerns, with this latest incident prompting renewed calls for increased security measures along the trail system.
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