MIAMI – The Miami Police Department arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the rape and beating of a 24-year-old woman that left her hospitalized last April, authorities confirmed Thursday.
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Miami police said the incident occurred on April 12, 2024, in the backyard of a Liberty City home near the 900 block of Northwest 55th Street, where the victim was found bleeding from the face, beaten badly, and yelling for help.
Police said according to witnesses, the victim was seen running back and forth in the yard, bleeding from the nose, which appeared to be broken.
Witnesses reported hearing a male voice saying “shut the f--- up” and saw two males outside, one holding onto the victim while the other was grabbing onto her, an arrest report stated.
Investigators said the victim was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where she underwent surgery for her injuries that included a broken nose, wrist, mandible and lips. They also confirmed she was intubated and received stitches.
After being asked for a brief statement, police said the victim wrote the word “beaten” on a piece of paper.
Police confirmed that CCTV footage corroborated the witness statements, and the victim later provided a sworn audio-recorded statement to detectives.
The victim recalled visiting the Brick House in the Wynwood area with her female friend, but after departing, she exited the car due to feeling sick, according to the report.
Police said her friend then drove away, and the next thing she remembered was waking up with a younger girl standing over her.
Authorities stated that rape kit results tested positive for seminal fluid, and the victim identified the suspect, Junior Christian Joseph, as a stranger she had never met or engaged in consensual sex with.
Joseph was located by the MPD’s Felony Apprehension Team on Dec. 30 and was transported to the Special Victims Unit office for questioning, according to the report.
After being read his Miranda rights, police said Joseph initially invoked his right to an attorney but later agreed to speak with detectives without legal representation.
During the interview, authorities said Joseph was shown CCTV footage of a male pulling and throwing a woman over his shoulder and carrying her.
Detectives said Joseph provided a matching description of the victim’s outfit on the night of the incident but denied that the sexual intercourse was against her will and denied causing her injuries.
Jail records show he is facing one count each of sexual battery causing serious personal injury, aggravated battery with prejudice resulting in great bodily harm, and kidnapping.
As of Thursday, Joseph is being held on a magistrate hold at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.