Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Javier Yadiel Copra Santiago, 22, was arrested yesterday and faces charges stemming from two separate cases involving forcible sexual battery and extortion, according to law enforcement reports.
First incident
A Gainesville Police Department officer reported that Copra Santiago went to the first victim’s apartment on September 15 to drive her to work. The woman told investigators that she and Copra Santiago were friends and had previously engaged in a sexual relationship.
The victim said Copra Santiago wanted to spend time with her before taking her to work, but she declined. According to her account, an argument followed, during which Copra Santiago placed her in a chokehold and caused her to lose consciousness. When she awoke, she said her wrists had been bound with two black zip ties and that Copra Santiago threatened her with pliers. She feared he might torture or kill her, she told officers.
The victim said Copra Santiago eventually removed the restraints, forced her to perform oral sex, ordered her to stand and photographed her. She said he then directed her onto the bed and raped her. Afterward, he drove her to work, where she went to a secluded location and contacted police.
She told investigators that none of the sexual activity was consensual. The victim also said Copra Santiago called himself a “rapist” after the assault and told her he did not expect to see her again because he had raped her.
Officers reportedly recovered two neatly cut black zip ties from the woman’s bedroom, along with a used condom.
The report states that Copra Santiago later texted the victim several times asking to speak with her. She did not respond until officers were present to monitor the exchange. When she told him she did not want to meet in person because he had raped her, he reportedly replied, “I have no clue what you’re talking about I gave you a ride to work that’s it,” adding that it was “a big accusation.” He continued asking to talk “face to face.”
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Copra Santiago reportedly said the woman had accused him of rape but insisted he had never had sexual contact with her other than kissing her once while his wife was present. He denied being in her apartment except when he helped her move in about a year earlier. He also said he had not seen her during September 2026 and had not driven her to work. Copra Santiago said he did not know why she would make the allegation, then declined to answer additional questions.
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Second incident
In a separate case, an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy reported that the second victim came forward on September 23 after receiving threatening text messages from an unfamiliar phone number. The sender allegedly threatened to post nude photographs of her on Facebook and send them to members of her family. She believed the images had been stored on her own phone.
The messages proposed a deal: If the woman sent additional photographs, the sender would “disappear like poof [dust cloud emoji].” The texts also stated, “No exposing no embarrassment when u try to go to the police for a fake number,” and warned, “Aight it’s all up online by tomorrow they’ll be on Facebook too and instagram and Snapchat [shrug emoji].”
The woman told deputies she suspected Copra Santiago because he lived nearby and had previously borrowed her phone. She said he returned to his apartment while speaking with her by phone and remained there for at least 40 minutes.
He also said photographs of the woman would not be found on his phone. Investigators seized the phone during the arrest, though the report does not indicate whether it had been examined before the arrest.
Charges and bail
Judge Meshon Rawls ordered Copra Santiago held without bail while the court considers a State Attorney’s Office motion seeking detention through trial. If that motion is denied, bail will be determined at the hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
