JSO: Teen sought in Riverside sexual assault

Police: Victim approached in broad daylight April 3 in alley on McDuff Avenue

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a young man who sexually assaulted someone in broad daylight on April 3 in the Riverside neighborhood, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced Sunday.

About 11 a.m., police said, an African-American male in his late teens approached the victim from behind in an alley off South McDuff Avenue, forced the victim to the ground and sexually assaulted the victim. 

Police released a sketch of the man, who was described as being 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 125 pounds and having acne on the front of his neck. 

"I hope they find him. The composite looks like a fairly young person, which is very troubling to me. It makes me feel sorry for them and their family," said Riverside resident Pattie Houlihan.

Many women who live in the area are on edge after learning of the incident. 

"That's terrifying. I didn't know this happened. I'm here all the time," said resident Erin Heaney.

News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith on Monday analyzed the layout of the alley.

"Walking down this alley, I see several places for concealment. You have a lot of trees and shrubbery, so it's easy to actually grab someone and push them over into that area," Smith said. 

News4Jax asked the Sheriff's Office why it took nearly a month for the composite sketch to be released, but has not yet heard back. Smith offered a possible reason. 

"During the initial investigation, they want to eliminate all possibilities, so they probably worked through all their evidence to see if they had any DNA, hair, clothing fibers that were there with the victim, also confirming the sexual assault did occur," he said.

After exhausting all those options to crack the case, Smith said, releasing the composite sketch to the public likely became the next best option. 

Anyone who has any information regarding the identity of the man depicted in the sketch is asked to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.


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