JSO: Serial Jacksonville rapist arrested, accused of 8 or more sex crimes

Jacksonville — He raped at least 8 women, according to JSO, between 2006 and 2009.  And there may be more victims.  Sheriff Mike Williams said Wednesday morning that Brandon DeAngelo Young was arrested several weeks ago in Middleburg after a years-long investigation.

The police work involved rape kit processing and a relatively new technique known as familial DNA matching.  Through the use of large DNA databases, police can look for possible family members of suspected criminals.  In several of the rape cases, DNA was left behind that linked the suspect to a family member who was in a Florida database.  But Williams said police needed more.  “This suspect was not in any database, his family members were.  So having that close relation didn’t make him a suspect but it gave us a person of interest.”

Through exhaustive scientific analysis and interviews, police determined that there were similarities to how and where Young chose his victims, including where they were taken and the circumstances of how he met them.

In all cases, police said Young met them in social settings, developed a rapport, then took them to an isolated area before confining them and raping them.

Finally, Williams the JSO Sexual Assault Cold Case Team was able to get a warrant to obtain a DNA sample from Young.  He was taken into custody by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office without incident at his home on July 26th.  He faces a mandatory 25 years in prison, and a possible life sentence.

WOKV has also learned that Young worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Baptist Hospital and as an assistant coach at St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park.

Baptist sent us a statement as follows:

We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the allegations regarding Brandon Young's alleged assaults on women in the Jacksonville community. Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement's active investigation.

Young was formerly a Flex Team member at Baptist, scheduled on an as-needed basis. He was an employee for one year who was suspended when we were notified of the allegations and has since been terminated.

We are extremely committed to the safety of our team members, volunteers, patients and visitors and we care deeply about the well-being of the greater Jacksonville community. So, while we already follow industry best practice for employee background screening, we are using this as an opportunity to review that process to ensure it is as effective as possible – and would encourage other employers, in any industry, to consider doing so as well.

He was also once arrested for domestic battery, and accused of fondling a 74 year old woman at a previous employer, while working as a nursing assistant with St. Vincent's Medical Center in 2016.  At that time, an Action News Jax investigation uncovered that accusation was never passed on to police as is required by Florida law, and he was never charged.

According to Florida statute, the Florida Health Department was required to report Young's alleged criminal violation to law enforcement, but the department was unable  to provide Action News Jax proof they did so.

The State Attorney's Office said at the time they could not confirm nor deny there was an investigation.  However, the same office told WOKV on Wednesday there was never an investigation because it was not reported to law enforcement.

Young also said he had no comment when Action News Jax went to his home.

WOKV is pressing for information about why Young was never charged, and whether there was ever a criminal investigation of the previous sexual assault claim against him.

Given the suspect’s history, Sheriff Williams is asking anyone who believes they may have information about further victims or crimes Young may be connected to to call JSO or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.