A Chattanooga man has pleaded guilty to violently raping a woman in her home in June.
Antonio Romero Roberts, 38, entered the plea before Special Judge Jon Kerry Blackwood on Wednesday, bypassing a preliminary hearing or a grand jury indictment by pleading “on information.”
That process – uncommon, but not unheard of – allows charges to quickly be brought into Hamilton County Criminal Court through paperwork after prosecutors and defense attorneys agree on a charge.
Antonio Romero RobertsRoberts was arrested June 1 after police responded to an East Chattanooga woman’s home on a report of rape. They found Roberts still with the battered victim, who told police he had not allowed her to open the door or leave.
The victim said she had been entertaining Roberts at her home when he began to ask her for sex. She told police she repeatedly refused, after which Roberts said, “If you don’t give it to me, I’m gonna take it from you. I’m gonna rape you.”
She said Roberts then began strangling her and hitting her in the head and neck. She fought back until he placed her in a chokehold and then raped her, the victim said. During the assault, she screamed for help and for her grandmother’s caretaker to call police.
When police arrived and Roberts would not answer the door, officers took the door off the hinges. They found the victim frantic, declaring she had been raped. Police saw scratches and lacerations on her neck and that several fingernails were bloody and ripped off from trying to fight Roberts.
Roberts had injuries and scratches around his face and neck that appeared to be evidence of the struggle.
The victim was treated at Erlanger hospital. It is Times Free Press policy not to name victims of sexual assault.
According to the terms of the plea deal, Roberts will spend a year at Silverdale Correctional Facility, then will face seven years of probation.
Roberts’ attorney, assistant public defender Steve Brown, and assistant district attorney Jason Demastus both declined to comment on the case.
Roberts has a lengthy criminal history in Hamilton County, with theft, burglary and robbery charges stretching back 20 years.
Contact staff writer Kate Belz at kbelz@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.