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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: |
August 28, 2008 |
Dominic Guadagnoli, Public Affairs
Officer
(850) 554-6602 |
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Task Force Captures Rape/Sodomy Suspect from
NYC and Armed Robbery Suspect From Jacksonville in Pensacola |
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Pensacola, FL - The U.S. Marshals Florida
Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended a man wanted in New York City for
allegedly raping and sodomizing his 11 and 5 year old daughters in 2005.
Rafael Cox was arrested at about 6 p.m. this evening at an apartment complex
on the 9600 block of Davis Highway. Members of the Bronx Special Victims
Unit were also on scene to help the Marshals Task Force and their members
from Escambia County and Pensacola Police Department Cox, 39, was arrested
without incident after the Task Force had spotted him coming home from a
construction job. Cox first gave officers the name of “Luis Hernandez” and
said that he had identification in his wallet with his name on it. Officers
then found a New York State Benefits ID card with the name “Rafael Melendez”
on it. When asked about that Cox said that his name used to be Cox but he
changed it. The Marshals Task Force was first contacted by the U.S. Marshals
in New York City about five months ago and they have been working the case
ever since. Cox was brought to the Escambia County Jail and will await
extradition back to New York; where he faces a possible mandatory sentence
of 12 ½ to 25 years in jail.
About an hour earlier, the Task Force apprehended Bryan Wadsworth at a
convenient store on the corner of Chemstrand and Ten Mile Road in Pensacola.
The 23 year old Jacksonville, FL man is a suspect in an armed robbery where
he and another suspect, his uncle Timothy Crosby, allegedly robbed an 84
year old man while visiting the gravesite of his deceased wife. The robbery
allegedly took place on August 15th at the Memorial Park Cemetery on
Normandy Blvd., in Jacksonville. According to the victim, he was approached
by Wadsworth who pointed a handgun at him and said “Give me your money or
I’ll pop you.” The Marshals Task Force was contacted earlier today by the
U.S. Marshals in Jacksonville who requested their help. Information was
provided to Task Force that he may be in Pensacola and driving his
girlfriend’s car. After investigating some other leads that developed,
Wadsworth was seen driving to the convenient store and using the pay phone.
The Task Force immediately swept in and placed him under arrest without
incident. Wadsworth was also taken to the Escambia County Jail where he was
processed in under a no bond warrant and will also await extradition back to
Jacksonville. The car was also seized pending the investigation.
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