FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 20, 2015

State Attorney Phil Archer Announces Filing Decisions

In November Winter Springs Sexual Assault Case

            State Attorney Phil Archer announced today (Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015) that documents charging two juveniles as adults for one count each of sexual battery multiple perpetrators, a first-degree felony, were filed against Marquis Pierre, 17,Winter Springs, and Deoante Stewart, 17, Sanford. The charges relate to an attack on a 16-year-old victim on Nov. 13 off-campus from Winter Springs High School.

            The two were arrested Nov. 19 along with three additional juveniles and an adult. Delinquency petitions charging the three additional juveniles with sexual battery multiple perpetrators have been filed against  Tywuan Johnson, 17, Sanford, Tobert Alexander, 16, Sanford, and Josea Sims, 17, Sanford. Prosecutors said however the review of their cases continues and are still being evaluated for the most appropriate venue.  Charges remain pending against the only adult charged in the attack, Torreano Batton, 18, Sanford.

            Prosecutors worked with the Winter Springs Police Department and obtained lab results, conducted interviews, and reviewed evidence before making the filing decisions.