TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A Tallahassee registered sex offender is behind bars after being accused of assaulting a 65-year-old woman Sunday night, according to court documents.
Paul Pestel Jr., 59, was taken into custody at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, court documents revealed. He is charged with attempted sexual battery, sexual battery, two counts of intimidation, battery on a person 65 years old or older, resisting an officer without violence and indecent exposure.
A Tallahassee registered sex offender is behind bars after being accused of assaulting a 65-year-old woman Sunday night, according to court documents.(Leon County Jail)
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers responded after multiple callers reported a sexual battery taking place at the intersection of West Tennessee Street and Macomb Street.
The responding officer located the suspect with assistance from a drone from the Consolidated Dispatch Agency (CDA). Upon arrival, the Tallahassee PD officer observed the suspect “on top of the victim” with no shirt and his pants down to his legs.
Court documents say the suspect initially resisted, but was apprehended with assistance from responding officers. Documents say the victim “appeared visibly shaken” and told officers she didn’t want the suspect to touch her.
Florida State University (FSU) PD officers also responded as the alleged assault occurred near the school campus. They issued a trespass warning out of concern for the vulnerable student population nearby.
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Multiple witnesses reportedly told Tallahassee Police they observed the alleged act and the victim’s calls for help. The affidavit says the victim told police that Pestel “choked her and forced her to the ground” and also threatened to physically penetrate her.
The victim avoided questions regarding physical penetration but “did not deny” that he orally assaulted her. She told police that she did not know Pestell well but she “sees him around.”
While in custody, Pestel allegedly threatened officers, detectives and the victim, leading to additional charges.
Pestel was previously convicted of sexual battery in 1998 and in 2006. He was registered with a home address in Leon County with no vehicle on file.
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