Florida trail attack suspect escorted to sheriff’s cruiser
Jacoby Tillman, a 23-year-old resident of Florida, has been apprehended and escorted to a sheriff’s vehicle following his release on a $9,500 bond. He is facing charges related to an attempted murder and sexual assault on a jogging path. This marks the latest in a series of legal troubles for Tillman, who has been involved in four felony cases over the past four years.
Tillman, who has a history of violent offenses, managed to evade capture for two months. After being apprehended, he was released from custody after less than 48 hours due to the bond set at $9,500.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has reported that on the morning of July 25, Tillman allegedly attacked a woman from behind on the Little Econ Greenway trail, rendering her unconscious by choking her.
During a court appearance on Tuesday morning, Judge Vincent Chiu granted a prosecution request to revoke Tillman’s bond, overturning an earlier decision that had allowed his release pending trial. Following this decision, Tillman was expected to be returned to the Orange County Jail.
According to court documents, Tillman’s girlfriend, whose identity has been withheld, reportedly told detectives that Tillman admitted to her, “I didn’t rape the lady. I was trying to kill the lady.” He allegedly further stated, “Because I wanted to know what it is like to choke someone out.”
Records indicate that Jacoby Tillman has been involved in four felony cases since 2021, as well as a case involving a violent misdemeanor, highlighting a concerning pattern of behavior. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
She also alleged that Tillman had choked her previously and that his mother tried to help him avoid capture after she saw news coverage of the attack, including surveillance video.
The victim told deputies she awoke face down, with her shorts and undergarments gone, according to the court documents. The suspect was gone when she came to, and she ran for help. She encountered several other people further down the trail, and they called 911 and gave her a spare set of shorts.
In addition to being choked unconscious, a police affidavit identified injuries to both of her eyes and her nose.
Jacoby Tillman, 23, glares at a photographer during his perp walk in connection with a jogging trail attack on a woman from behind. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
Further down the trail, another jogger saw a man matching Tillman’s description “sprinting” away, according to the affidavit. He told detectives he thought it was “odd” and then found the victim’s phone and car keys on the ground nearby.
Security cameras along the edge of the trail also allegedly recorded Tillman throwing the victim’s underwear over a fence.
The attack prompted authorities to warn women to remain vigilant while walking or running, stop using noise-canceling headphones and not to jog alone.
Jacoby Tillman, 23, is placed in the rear seat of a sheriff’s SUV. (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
A shirtless Tillman was recorded glaring at a photographer and licking his lips when deputies walked him into a patrol vehicle.
After Tillman made bail at a hearing on Oct. 14, Sheriff John Mina called it “atrocious” in a Facebook post.
Court records in Orange County show Tillman has at least four felony cases going back to 2021, with convictions including robbery and the violent battery of a defenseless victim.
He was also convicted of misdemeanor battery in 2023.
In the latest case, he faces charges of first-degree attempted murder, attempted sexual battery with a deadly weapon or physical force, battery by strangulation and third-degree battery.
