Accused rapist is caught six months later while illegally fishing

Anthony Grier, 54, of Duval, is being held on three charges after a patrol officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ran into him and found him keeping fish that had been caught illegally.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has not confirmed how it connected Grier to an assault case from this past February, but he is being held in jail on charges of armed sexual battering involving a 12-year-old or older victim, petit theft unspecified, and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Level Two violation.

A new police report from JSO stated the victim was on a front porch charging her cellphone when the man approached her.

The man took her phone and grabbed her shirt while saying, “Let’s go.”

He then displayed a box cutter and threatened her life if she didn’t come with him.

The man led her to a nearby dumpster and sexually assaulted her.

The victim told police the man then ran off with her phone.

JSO released a sketch of the man with a description from the victim.

He was not found for over six months.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife patrol unit found Grier fishing at Trout River on Aug.16.

The officer conducted a search of his bag and found undersized fish.

Taking such fish from the water is illegal.

As Grier was being transported to the Sheriff's Office, the officer found two outstanding warrants for his arrest.

“If he was illegally fishing, (and)then he got caught for a crime he actually committed, he was actually being chased for, that’s a good thing,” neighbor Cyntarvia said.

Grier’s next court date is scheduled for Sept. 6 at 9 a.m.

Cox Media Group