In a chilling case that has come to light nearly four years after the crime, police are delving deeper into the possibility of additional victims following the conviction of a man for a brutal assault in Jacksonville Beach.
Hugh Perry, now 55, was found guilty this September of sexually assaulting a Jacksonville woman back in February 2022. The incident unfolded after the woman enjoyed an evening out with friends at an event in Jacksonville Beach, followed by drinks, before making her way home.
Surveillance footage, as cited in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report, captured Perry’s vehicle trailing the woman’s car as she drove to her apartment complex. Hours later, his car was seen leaving the premises. The victim awoke with no recollection of returning home or encountering Perry, but discovered physical injuries and other telltale signs of an assault. She later stated in court documents her belief that she was drugged during the ordeal.
The case was brought to light through the Women’s Center SAFE Program, which led to DNA evidence that ultimately tied Perry to the crime. Following his conviction, Perry received a 30-year prison sentence.
In a troubling twist, the investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office unearthed a previous accusation against Perry, dating back to 2013. In that instance, he was implicated in a similar sexual assault involving two women, raising suspicions of a potential pattern of targeting vulnerable, intoxicated women. Despite the serious allegations, the State Attorney’s Office had opted not to pursue charges at that time, as revealed in the arrest report.
During its investigation, JSO discovered Perry was also accused of a similar sexual assault involving two female victims in 2013, which could suggest a pattern of targeting heavily intoxicated women. The State Attorney’s Office chose not to prosecute that case, according to the arrest report.
While he was out of jail ahead of his sexual assault trial, JSO said, Perry was also accused of drugging a woman’s drink and stealing from her.
These are only the cases that were documented and reported; police believe he could have had several more victims.
Mugshots provided by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office show photos of Perry throughout the years.
Anyone who believes this man may have assaulted them is asked to contact the agency’s Special Assault Unit at 904-630-2168
“We want to bring justice to every one of Perry’s victims,” JSO wrote.
