[FL] Guilty: Affair with Deputy Aponte "spiraled into fear and violence"

Woman Testifies In Sex Abuse Trial Of Ex-Deputy
Jose Aponte betrayed her trust, raped her and threatened her with a gun, prosecutors say.
By Jason Geary
THE LEDGER
May 29, 2008
A 41-year-old Poinciana woman testified Wednesday that her affair with a former Polk County sheriff's deputy spiraled into fear and violence. Jose Aponte, 55, is accused of forcing the woman to have sex, and afterward putting the barrel of a handgun to her forehead and threatening to shoot her. The five-year veteran with the Polk County Sheriff's Office lost his job after his arrest in August... Aponte is charged with sexual battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, extortion, witness tampering and violating a restraining order... [Full article here]

Ex-Deputy Found Guilty of Rape, Threats
Jose Aponte, 55, was arrested in August and accused of sexual battery, intimidation against ex-girlfriend.
By Jason Geary
THE LEDGER
May 30, 2008
A jury found a former Polk County sheriff's deputy guilty Thursday of raping and threatening an ex-girlfriend. Jurors deliberated almost two hours before convicting Jose Aponte, 55, of sexual battery, extortion or threats, and violating a restraining order. He was acquitted of aggravated assault with a firearm and witness tampering. Aponte is scheduled for sentencing June 27. The charges of sexual battery and extortion or threats are second-degree felonies; each carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison... A 41-year-old Poinciana woman told jurors that Aponte forced her to have sex, and then pointed his handgun at her and then himself... He denied putting a handgun to her head or pointing it at his head and threatening to commit suicide... Aponte recalled how embarrassed he was when his fellow deputies arrested him later. "They surrounded me like they were birds of prey," he said. [Full article here]

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August 22, 2007 - Polk Deputy Jose Aponte arrested for dv assault, rape, pointing gun