3 boys, ages 12, 13, and 15, charged as adults for allegedly raping girl at community garden
03/04/2026 8:00 am PST
MIAMI (TCN) -- Three boys are being charged as adults in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl at a community garden in June 2025.
NBC Miami reports that the three suspects, ages 12, 13, and 15, were arrested after the June 18, 2025, incident. Records obtained by the outlet show the 12-year-old and 13-year-old will be facing adult charges, and they were booked into the Metro West Detention Center on Feb. 26.
WPLG reports the suspects are Jusiah Jones, 12; Nelson Nunez, 13; and Xavier Tyson, 15. Tyson was 14 at the time of the alleged attack.
At their initial court appearance on Feb. 27, Jones and Nunez were ordered held without bond, according to NBC Miami. CBS News reports there is a warrant out for Tyson’s arrest, but he has reportedly moved out of state. He was scheduled to appear in court on March 2.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was leaving a friend’s house when she saw the three suspects and a witness, according to arrest reports obtained by NBC Miami. The victim alleged Nunez grabbed her and took her into a community garden, and that she was screaming while the other two suspects and a witness allegedly watched.
According to Mike Vega, the spokesman for the City of Miami Police, Jones and Tyson held the victim down while Nunez allegedly raped her, CBS News reports. He said, “Not only that, she was screaming for help, and one of them grabs rocks from the ground and put them in her mouth, so she shuts up.” The alleged attack then continued for 30 more minutes.
According to the victim, Nunez allegedly stopped when he heard the victim’s father calling her name, NBC Miami reports. The boys fled and were arrested the following day, per CBS.
During the investigation, NBC Miami reports detectives interviewed the witness, whose name has not been released. The witness confirmed the victim’s story and said he did not intervene because he was outnumbered and afraid of getting beaten up by the other three boys.
Arrest reports obtained by NBC Miami state Jones was charged with aggravated battery and false imprisonment, Nunez was charged with kidnapping and sexual battery on a minor by a minor, and Tyson was charged with sexual battery, false imprisonment, and lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. Nunez and Jones are being held without bond, according to CBS News.
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