Votran Driver Stops Sexual Assault In Ponce Inlet

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Ponce Inlet, FL - A man trying to sexually assault a woman on a Votran bus is stopped and restrained by the driver.

That's the story from Ponce Inlet Police Department after they arrested 34-year-old Michael L. Speaks following the incident that took place close to 7:00 p.m. last Friday by the Tidewater Condominiums.

Officers were dispatched to a disturbance taking place on a Votran bus that was stopped on South Atlantic Avenue and Inlet Harbor Road. On that bus is where witnesses say Speaks was touching a woman inappropriately before he exposed himself to her.

That's when the driver, 26-year-old Paul Okumu of Port Orange, stepped in to stop Speaks.

According to the narrative given by witnesses, Speaks grabbed Okumu by the throat and the two eventually struggled and fell into the side window of the bus, breaking the glass.

When officers detained Speaks, they noticed a distinct smell of alcohol and found a knife with a five-inch blade and nine condoms on his person.

Officers say Speaks was combative during his arrest, threatening to hurt and kill them "when the handcuffs come off." Speaks also began to kick the window of the patrol car before being restrained further by police.

He's currently being held at Volusia County Jail on $16,500 bond charged with sexual battery as well as aggravated battery, resisting arrest without violence, disorderly intoxication and threatening a law enforcement officer.