More than 6 women come forward after accused Ormond Beach rapist is arrested
LAKE MARY, Fla. - A Volusia County man accused of dragging an unconscious woman to his truck and raping her is due in court -- and authorities believe there are several more victims.
Jason Minton, 43, is a registered sex offender. He is accused of taking a woman from the River Grille Restaurant last Wednesday, without her consent, before allegedly sexually assaulting her inside his truck at another location. Minton turned himself into authorities on Friday.
"He was slick, but his slickness ends now. It's over," said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Since the announcement of Minton’s charges last week, the Sheriff's Office says more than half-a-dozen women have contacted the agency to report similar incidents involving him over the past several years.
Detectives on Monday announced the addition of one felony battery charge in a separate case. The victim in the second case said Minton approached her at a business plaza in DeLand, gave her his business card and offered her an interview for a job at a tree service. She later contacted him, and he picked her up in the company truck, drove her to a bar in Orange City, and ordered her multiple drinks, the victim told deputies.
The victim said she left with Minton, and he drove her to a wooded lot in Orange City, made a series of unwanted advances, and offered her cash in exchange for sex. The victim said she was able to deflect Minton’s advances, and he dropped her off in DeLand.
Judge orders Ormond Beach man suspected of drugging woman, raping her to stay behind bars
Jason Minton walked in chains into Volusia County Court, charged with Sexual Battery and Kidnapping. His lawyer, Aaron Delgado, tried to convince the judge that Minton did the right thing by turning himself in.
Sheriff’s detectives are in the process of reaching out to the other women for interviews. Any other potential victims are encouraged to contact law enforcement.
“I want to thank each of those brave women for coming forward, and I also want them to know we’re going to give their cases the attention they deserve,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. “Ormond Beach police did a great job getting Jason Minton off the street, and our deputies and detectives are going to be working hard doing everything they can to make sure every potential victim is heard.”
Please call 386-668-3830 and ask for Detective. Martir or email jmartir@vcso.us if you have a case to report.
Minton was booked on his new charge on Monday at the Volusia County Branch Jail, where he remains in custody with no bond allowed. The battery charge is a felony due to Minton’s prior battery conviction.
This story was written out of Lake Mary, Florida.