Collier County man accused of sexually assaulting woman at knifepoint

NAPLES, Fla. A 38-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a car at knifepoint was arrested Tuesday.

Ernesto Gonzalez-Rodriguez, of Naples, faces a charge of sexual battery, according to a report from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

Gonzalez-Rodriguez picked up the victim at a house in Golden Gate City on Sunday, the report said. The victim believed they were going to visit family on Marco Island.

The victim told deputies she was unfamiliar with the area because she is visiting from Cuba and has only been living in Naples for one month, the report said.

After driving around for some time, Gonzalez-Rodriguez told the victim they were going to visit family in Miami, the report said.

The victim told deputies they spent the day with “unfamiliar family” and decided to return to Naples later in the evening, the report said.

During the drive back from Miami on Interstate 75, the victim stated Gonzalez-Rodriguez turned around and said he was lost, the report said. Gonzalez-Rodriguez pulled the car over at an unknown location and pulled out a large black-handled knife.

Gonzalez-Rodriguez told the victim to undress and told her they were going to have sex, the report said. The victim told deputies she became very upset and removed her clothes in fear for her safety.

After sexually assaulting the victim, Gonzalez-Rodriguez took a picture of her on his cellphone, the report said.

The victim’s cousin later confronted Gonzalez-Rodriguez, advised him to leave and retrieved the photo from his phone, the report said.

Gonzalez-Rodriguez drove back to Miami and later turned himself in to the Miami Police Department, the report said.

Gonzalez-Rodriguez was transferred to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and faces a charge of sexual battery, deputies said.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 6.

A bond has not yet been set.