Man, 40, convicted of kidnapping, sexual battery

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Rodney Maxwell

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 40-year-old Jacksonville man was found guilty Wednesday of kidnapping and sexual battery.

In October 2009, Rodney Maxwell grabbed the female victim from behind as she was walking home. The defendant then dragged the victim into a nearby park where he strangled and forced her to have sex.

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Maxwell has a previous armed sexual battery conviction and was sentenced to 40 years in prison for that crime. He was released from prison after serving 19 years of the sentence, which was two months before committing this crime.

He now faces mandatory life in prison as a habitual violent felony offender and a prison release re-offender. He will be sentenced July 7.