Volusia and Flagler Counties - Volusia and Flagler County officials announced the arrest of a registered sex offender who is accused of raping a woman multiple times across both counties and allegedly attempting to kill her.
34-year-old Obtravies Watkins, of Ormond Beach, was arrested on Tuesday after officials say he raped a 25-year-old woman who was found naked and bleeding, crawling out of the woods near Old Kings Rd. near the Volusia and Flagler County lines. The woman was found by a bystander at around 9:30 AM on Monday.
The woman said she met Watkins along Ridgewood Ave. in Daytona. Authorities say there is no indication that the woman knew Watkins. The woman told officials that she was walking home from a friend's house when a man, who introduced himself to her as "Travis," asked her if she wanted a ride. According to arrest reports, the woman said she was raped several times as she was traveling with the man, and she claimed the man, later identified as Watkins, threatened her with a gun.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said at a press conference on Wednesday that Watkins raped the woman twice as the two were traveling around Volusia County and then drove her to Flagler County where he raped her again and dragged her through the woods. Staly said that Watkins strangled the woman, held her down with his foot, and wrapped a belt around the woman's neck, rendering her unconscious.
"This was absolutely a brutal attack that lasted for seven hours and occurred in both Volusia and Flagler counties. We are fortunate that (the woman) survived this attack," said Staly.
The woman was taken to the hospital with injuries over her entire body. Officials say that the woman is still in a Volusia County hospital. "Our heart goes out to the victim, and we will do all that is within our power to help her find peace," Volusia County Sheriff's Office's Chief Deputy John Creamer said at the Wednesday press conference.
Because Watkins is a registered sex offender, he is being held without bond. He has 21 prior felony charges and 10 misdemeanor charges. He is now charged with sexual battery, kidnapping, and attempted second-degree murder.
(Watkins's mugshot courtesy Volusia County Jail)
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