Rape of minor girl was caught on surveillance video

A St Johns County teen faces a list of charges in connection with the rape of a minor girl at a Julington Creek Plantation community pool that occurred at about 4:45 a.m. Wednesday.   The assault was caught on surveillance video.

The arrest of 18-year-old Tyler Nathaniel Tillman, who is reported to live at 1036 Buttercup Dr Saint Johns, came just after 10:00 p.m. Thursday night.  He is still in custody at the St Johns County Detention Facility as of Friday night.

According to the incident report obtained by Historic City News, the victim told sheriff’s investigators that she contacted Tillman over social media to get alcohol from him. Once they had some vodka, she went for a swim. At some point, the victim said, Tillman kissed her. The minor girl said Tillman grew aggressive from there. She reported to law enforcement that Tillman forced himself on her repeatedly along a ledge in the shallow end of the pool.

Investigators met with the victim at an area hospital, where authorities collected evidence showing signs of sexual assault. According to the report, the surveillance video appears to confirm the victim’s description of the assault.  It is said to show the older teen having “violent sexual intercourse” and “striking the victim in the head throughout the encounter”.

Tillman has been charged with the sale, giving, or serving alcoholic beverages to a person under 21, first offense, a second-degree misdemeanor; liquor possession by a minor, a second-degree misdemeanor; simple battery, a first-degree misdemeanor; and sexual assault, a life-felony.  He is currently being held without bond.