A Bradenton man has been arrested and charged with sexual battery after a woman reported being assaulted while drifting in and out of consciousness at a Bradenton residence, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Melvin Antonio Lopez, 44, was arrested Aug. 11 and charged with sexual battery of an adult, a second-degree felony. Under Florida law, a second-degree felony is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
According to an arrest report, the alleged assault occurred during the early morning hours of Aug. 9 after the woman had been drinking with her boyfriend and Lopez at a Bradenton home. The woman told investigators she had also used cocaine earlier in the evening and consumed approximately eight or nine alcoholic beverages.
The woman reported that she later found herself in Lopez’s bedroom but could not remember how or why she got there. Investigators said she described repeatedly losing and regaining consciousness during the alleged assault.
According to the report, the woman told deputies that when she attempted to get up, Lopez grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back onto the bed. She also reported that Lopez locked the bedroom door.
The woman eventually left the bedroom and attempted to locate her boyfriend, but investigators said she reported being pulled back into the room and sexually assaulted again. She later noticed that she was bleeding following the alleged attack.
Deputies searched the residence several days later and interviewed Lopez. According to the arrest report, Lopez denied sexually battering or abusing the woman. He told investigators he had been heavily intoxicated that night and did not remember everything that occurred.
The woman’s boyfriend told investigators the three had been spending time together that evening. He reported that his last memory was going outside before passing out. According to investigators, he said Lopez told him the following day that he had sex with the woman but did not provide additional details.
Investigators collected the woman’s clothing as evidence as part of the investigation.
Lopez was booked into the Manatee County jail and remained in custody on a $75,000 bond as of Friday. Court records show he has pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial.
Lopez is scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge Frederick Mercurio on Sept. 25.
The charge is an allegation, and Lopez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.