Man Found Guilty of Sexual Battery, Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Demetrious Hartley was found guilty by a jury of Sexual Battery and Trespass in an Occupied Structure. The Honorable London Kite sentenced Hartley 12 years in Florida State Prison during a July 7, 2022, hearing. Hartley was deemed a Sexual Offender and will serve three years of Sexual Offender probation following his release.

On the night of Sept. 8, 2018, the victim and a friend went to a bar where they consumed alcohol. The victim’s friend transported the victim home, took care of her, and helped her to bed. The victim’s friend then invited a man she met during the evening to the residence. While the victim’s friend and acquaintance were in the home, they heard the victim scream from her bedroom. They rushed into the room to find the victim holding a shotgun saying she was being raped and Hartley — who the victim and her friend did not know or permit access to the residence — fleeing the apartment. Despite denying having sex with anyone that evening, Hartley’s DNA matched DNA found on the victim’s pants and the victim was able to successfully identify Hartley as her attacker.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State
Attorneys Kelli Shobe and Elizabeth McEwan.