A man living in the Bradenton Beach anchorage area near Bridge Street was arrested for sexually battering a woman on a boat.
Rick Jeffery Rowland, 40, allegedly grabbed the woman by the neck, choked her, removed her pants and committed sexual battery, according to Bradenton Beach Police Department Officer Josh Betts’ probable cause affidavit.
Rowland also allegedly threatened to break the woman’s neck if she didn’t stop screaming.
The two had lived together for the past five to six months, and Rowland had prevented her from leaving the boat for two days, the BBPD report stated.
The incident took place on a private boat at 3:30 a.m. Jan. 10, and the arrest occurred at the Bridge Street dock at about 5 p.m. the same day, according to the BBPD report.
The BBPD charged Rowland with a first-degree sexual battery and two third-degree felonies, domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment. He was booked into the Manatee County jail.
At his first court appearance, Rowland was appointed a public defender. A court order prohibits him from any contact with the victim.
Bonds were set at $56,000 for release from jail.
Rowland was recently released from the Manatee County jail in connection with another incident in Bradenton Beach.
BBPD arrested Rowland Jan. 1 after a fight with a man outside the Drift-In, 120 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, during which he accused the man of having sex with his girlfriend. BBPD booked him in jail on a misdemeanor battery charge. He was released Jan. 5 on $500 bond.
His arraignment on the felony charges is set for 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton before 12th Judicial Circuit Judge Susan B. Maulucci.
How sad. How unsavory for those living in that area.