Alexander Steven Manzano, 32, is facing up to life in prison after being found guilty of Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, Attempted Sexual Battery with a Deadly Weapon, and Attempted Kidnapping following a trial in Collier County.
His case involves two incidents that happened in Immokalee on January 4, 2019.
In the first crime, a woman had been riding her bicycle and got a flat tire. A man pulled over in a pick-up truck and offered her a ride to a local convenience store. She agreed and got in his truck. She noticed he passed a couple stores and she got nervous. She tried to open the door but it would not work. He took her to a local cemetery and pulled out a knife.
He made her get out of the truck and demanded she take her clothes off. He tried to sexually violate her but she was able push him out of the way. The victim was nude and ran to a house at the edge of the cemetery. She banged on the door for help. The homeowner called 911 and the attacker fled. Deputies from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Two hours later, a woman was walking along a road in Immokalee when a man in a pick-up truck pulled over. He got out of the truck, came up behind her, and grabbed her. He put the woman in a chokehold to gain control of her.
He tried to drag her to his truck but she fought back. He then started to choke her and punch her. A passerby saw the attack and pulled over to help. The attacker saw the other vehicle pull up so he got in his truck and sped away.
While a deputy with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office was on the way to the scene of this crime, another deputy heard the radio transmission about what happened. He saw a truck matching the description and did a traffic stop. The driver was detained and identified as Manzano. He was then identified by the victims in both incidents as the perpetrator.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 13, 2020. Assistant State Attorney Laura Mason and Assistant State Attorney Deborah Cunningham prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125