Cantonment Carjacking, Sexual Assault Suspect Enters Not Guilty Plea

November 6, 2014

A Cantonment carjacking and sexual assault suspect has entered a plea of not guilty in Escambia County Circuit Court.

Eddie Lee Atkins, age 27 of 622 Muscogee Road, was charged with attempted sexual assault with force and carjacking without a firearm or weapon for two separate incidents on September 18.  The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said DNS evidence linked Atkins to both crimes.

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on September 18, a carjacking was reported at the Raceway gas station at Highway 29 and Muscogee Road. The 55-year old victim went inside the store to make a purchase and pay for gasoline. After she pumped her gas, she found that  Atkins had allegedly entered her unlocked vehicle and concealed himself in the backseat. The victim did not see Atkins and drove away from the store with him in the vehicle.

Atkins reportedly confronted the victim once the vehicle was moving. He told her that he had a knife and to keep driving or he would “stick” her. She drove around randomly and eventually drove to a neighbor’s residence. Once there she honked the car’s horn in distress to get someone’s attention. Atkins then punched her in the face and pushed her from the vehicle, according to investigators.

Atkins then left in the car, heading back towards Highway 29, deputies said. The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Shortly afterward, the vehicle was located on Pine Street.

A little more than 15 minutes later, the attempted sexual battery of a female jogger was reported on Rocky Avenue. The victim reported that as she was jogging when an unknown black male suspect grabbed her from behind and dragged her into awooded area. Once there he struck her in the face and attempted to remove her clothing but the victim fought back and was able to escape.

Both women were able to identify Atkins from a photo lineup, according to arrest reports.

Atkins remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond. According to official records, Atkins has a criminal history that includes five felony and four misdemeanor convictions, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery with a firearm, possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon, larceny, aggravated assault and possession of marijuana.

Comments

7 Responses to “Cantonment Carjacking, Sexual Assault Suspect Enters Not Guilty Plea”

  1. David Huie Green on November 7th, 2014 8:30 am

    REGARDING:
    “What happened to THREE STRIKES…”

    His four 2008 felonies were simultaneous and he was sentenced to five years in prison.

    Quite often a crime can be broken into multiple felonies and if those were applied to Three Strikes Life concept, many would receive a life sentence the first time they faced a judge. It might have been good in his place, but in general would be a bad idea.

    David for perfect judges

  2. FLA GIRL on November 7th, 2014 7:15 am

    I hope they put him in a maximum security prison for life. There, he will get plenty of the violent action for which he seems to be searching. It is very obvious that he is a threat to society. Throw him UNDER the prison!

  3. XD9RACER on November 6th, 2014 3:20 pm

    You are right–he should not have been out from behind bars to victimize others with five felony convictions. What happened to THREE STRIKES YOU’ RE OUT. The earlier convictions may not have put him in that category but no matter what these charges with convictions should be enough to put him away for near life if not life. According to prior articles he indicated he had a knife and would STICK the lady in the car but here it doesn’t indicate any of his charges were associated with a weapon. As you rob an establishment or person and you have your hand in your pocket in such a way to indicate you have a gun and say you do then you are charged as having a weapon although one was not found. Whether one is shown or not you have created more fear for the victim so the charges should be with a weapon. Maybe the JUDGE in the case will do the right thing and send him away for life. It is bad enough the TAXPAYERS have to foot the bill for these THUGS but it is better than having them being free to create more victims like he exhibited this time. He had an agenda and although he was not all that successful thanks to the ladies that thought clear enough to stop him short. I know they were traumatized from this but they have their lives and after therapy they should be able to live a fairly normal life. JUST US FOR ALL.

  4. EMD on November 6th, 2014 12:30 pm

    Seems it is a revolving door for repeat offenders, but an upstanding citizen without even a traffic ticket, breaks a law one time to help someone, and is “made an example of.” Too sad. What are judges for? I thought their job was to “JUDGE,” and use the law for a guide. The letter of the law KILLS …………….and sometimes ruins lives that are otherwise very productive in he community in positive ways. Lock up a tax payer and make law abiding TAX PAYERS pay the cost. Let repeat offenders out over and over to prey on law abiding citizens. This does not sound JUST to me. No wonder so many are depressed. Many of our legal guidelines seem oppressive and unfair.

  5. tg on November 6th, 2014 9:15 am

    Taxpayers are the loosers now he needs a free lawyer. These Judges could save us a lot of money by putting these thugs away on first offence. OPPS i forgot about prison cost. But lets think about victims.

  6. Dumbfounded on November 6th, 2014 9:02 am

    This guy shouldn’t have been out walking the streets with all those prior convictions. Can’t believe he was employed, background checks should be mandatory. His employers should be embarrassed by their lack of judgement in hiring a five time convicted felon!

  7. Bob's Brother on November 6th, 2014 8:02 am

    Five felony convictions and the dude is walking amoung us. Way to go judges. These women should sue you because there’s no way that thug should have been out terrorizing the community.