05-30-2008, 03:01 AM
http://www.theledger.com/article/200805 ... /FRONTPAGE (http://www.theledger.com/article/20080529/NEWS/805290454/0/FRONTPAGE)
Woman Testifies In Sex Abuse Trial Of Ex-Deputy
Jose Aponte betrayed her trust, raped her and threatened her with a gun, prosecutors say.
By Jason Geary
THE LEDGER
Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 6:18 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 7:08 a.m.
Jose Aponte
BARTOW | A 41-year-old Poinciana woman testified Wednesday that her affair with a former Polk County sheriff's deputy spiraled into fear and violence.
Jose Aponte, 55, is accused of forcing the woman to have sex, and afterward putting the barrel of a handgun to her forehead and threatening to shoot her.
The five-year veteran with the Polk County Sheriff's Office lost his job after his arrest in August.
During opening statements, Assistant State Attorney Beth Stockdale described the woman's relationship with Aponte as one that began with trust, but became a "living hell."
"In the end, he betrayed her," Stockdale said.
The woman's name is being withheld because she is an alleged victim of a sex crime.
After his Aug. 22 arrest, Aponte also threatened to post a sex tape on the Internet to embarrass her, Stockdale said.
Aponte is charged with sexual battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, extortion, witness tampering and violating a restraining order.
The woman, who has five children, told jurors how Aponte struck up a friendship with her.
She said her husband was sick, and there was growing tension in their marriage. She said she told Aponte about her problems, and they began to date.
She said they moved in together when Aponte's wife discovered the affair. A few weeks later, she came home when Aponte was intoxicated and he raped her, leaving bruises on her body, she said.
Aponte's lawyer, Michael McGinn, described a different scenario.
He said the woman and Aponte had rough sex.
The woman saw an opportunity to get revenge against Aponte because he was planning to go back to his wife and children, McGinn said. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," he said.
Testimony is expected to continue today.
Woman Testifies In Sex Abuse Trial Of Ex-Deputy
Jose Aponte betrayed her trust, raped her and threatened her with a gun, prosecutors say.
By Jason Geary
THE LEDGER
Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 6:18 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 7:08 a.m.
Jose Aponte
BARTOW | A 41-year-old Poinciana woman testified Wednesday that her affair with a former Polk County sheriff's deputy spiraled into fear and violence.
Jose Aponte, 55, is accused of forcing the woman to have sex, and afterward putting the barrel of a handgun to her forehead and threatening to shoot her.
The five-year veteran with the Polk County Sheriff's Office lost his job after his arrest in August.
During opening statements, Assistant State Attorney Beth Stockdale described the woman's relationship with Aponte as one that began with trust, but became a "living hell."
"In the end, he betrayed her," Stockdale said.
The woman's name is being withheld because she is an alleged victim of a sex crime.
After his Aug. 22 arrest, Aponte also threatened to post a sex tape on the Internet to embarrass her, Stockdale said.
Aponte is charged with sexual battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, extortion, witness tampering and violating a restraining order.
The woman, who has five children, told jurors how Aponte struck up a friendship with her.
She said her husband was sick, and there was growing tension in their marriage. She said she told Aponte about her problems, and they began to date.
She said they moved in together when Aponte's wife discovered the affair. A few weeks later, she came home when Aponte was intoxicated and he raped her, leaving bruises on her body, she said.
Aponte's lawyer, Michael McGinn, described a different scenario.
He said the woman and Aponte had rough sex.
The woman saw an opportunity to get revenge against Aponte because he was planning to go back to his wife and children, McGinn said. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," he said.
Testimony is expected to continue today.