JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville police arrested a Northside man accused of kidnapping a woman and repeatedly beating and raping her for two days, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Joseph Peterson, 36, of Jacksonville, is charged with kidnapping and sexual battery.
Last month, police said, a woman went to Peterson's home on Bessent Road to collect money that he owed her when he became aggressive and refused to let her leave, taking her keys and cellphone, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The victim was held against her will for two days, restrained inside Peterson's bedroom where she was repeatedly beaten and raped, investigators said.
The court document said the woman managed to escape the "two-day nightmare" after Peterson got drunk and passed out.
News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said the woman made a brave choice.
“That’s a very difficult decision to make because the person is extremely violent, knowing that if he does catch you, that he’s going to inflict more violence upon her," Smith said. "So she had to really be careful and weigh the situation to determine when she was going to leave.”
Police said the victim had bruises all over her body and blood on her face. They also said she was beaten so badly that she had bruised ribs, and was having a difficult time breathing.
A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, told News4Jax on Friday that he was disturbed by the allegations, saying his children are often around Peterson's home.
"We do let our kids ride their bikes around this block, which takes them right by that house. They’ve done that several times without us watching. So yes, it’s a reality check," he said.
According to court records, Peterson pleaded no contest to domestic battery in 2016. He pleaded no contest to drug possession in 2013 and he entered a no-contest plea to battery in 2011, court records show.
The neighbor said he recalled a domestic situation at the house on Bessent Road, in which police were called.
"The woman was moving out and the guy was very angry and belligerent, yelling a lot of curse words and derogatory statements," the neighbor said.
Peterson was booked Feb. 10 into the Duval County Jail and ordered held without bond.