An Atwater man is behind bars after allegedly holding a woman captive and forcing her to have sex with him.
31-year-old David Tanner was arrested Tuesday. The man is accused of holding his 19-year-old girlfriend hostage, and repeatedly raping her.
Atwater Police Detective Adolfo Lomeli says, "She's not denying consensually having sex with Mr. Tanner. However she stated at some point when she refused to participate in a particular sex act, he became violent and controlling and physically restrained her."
Police say Tanner held the girl for two days against her will inside his apartment. Authorities also say the suspect's family was home the entire time.
"There was some people in the apartment who asked if everything was okay, however Mr. Tanner always told the family members that they were just having consensual sex."
We talked with the suspect's Dad, James Tanner, who says the girl's story is a lie.
James Tanner says, "She had the whole run of the house and everything. She went when she wanted to, she came back when she wanted to."
Detective Lomeli believes otherwise. The girl told police Tanner tied her up, threatened her and forced her to have sex with him.
Det. Lomeli says, "She indicated that at least on two occasions she was choked to the point that she lost consciousness. She did have injuries, bruisings and marks to confirm those allegations."
The victim managed to escape from the attacker's home. When Tanner was arrested, police discovered he was out on parole for a previous rape conviction back in 2000. He was also charged with statutory rape in 2004 and 2006.
"Every time we put somebody like this person in jail, I feel that this society and this community is safer. At least one less person, one less predator is out on the street."
TXT 24
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