23-year-old sentenced in rape, attempted rapes

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Keith Love

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Keith Deontay Love, 23, was sentenced to 50 years in prison with a 25 year minimum mandatory Friday morning for the rape and attempted rapes of three young women.

Love pleaded guilty last month to charges of sexual battery with a firearm, kidnapping with a firearm, attempted sexual battery with a firearm, attempted sexual battery and false imprisonment.

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In June 2010, Love struck up a conversation with a 23-year-old woman while she waited for public transportation. During that conversation, Love persuaded the victim to allow him to drive her home. During the drive, Love refused to take the victim home and drove her to a cemetery where he demanded sex from the victim. The victim physically fought back and was able to run away and call the police for help.

Two months later, Love observed his next victim, another 23-year-old woman, walking across the street. Love asked the victim if she needed a ride. The victim declined his offer, which angered him. Love then forced the woman into his car and drove her to a nearby park where he raped her at gunpoint. After the rape, the victim contacted police and gave officers the tag number of Love's vehicle.

Three days later, Love kidnapped his next victim, a 17-year-old girl he met on Facebook. The kidnapping took place after the teen sent a text message to Love attempting to end their internet relationship. Love went to the victim's home, kidnapped the teen, and took her to a vacant parking lot. Love then attempted to rape the victim at gunpoint. The teen was able to get out of the car and call the police for help.

After all three attacks, detectives were able to link the cases using the tag number and descriptions of Love given by all three female victims.

The prison sentence is followed by a lifetime of sex offender probation. At Friday's hearing, Love was also designated a sexual predator.