A Miami man, recently out of prison for a similar crime, is accused of breaking into a young woman’s luxury apartment and sexually assaulting her in downtown Miami. The suspect, 26-year-old Diontae Blackman, was arrested on Tuesday and is now in jail without bond following a decision by Judge Mindy Glazer on Wednesday.
Blackman is facing serious charges: burglary with assault or battery, armed sexual battery, and kidnapping with a weapon. This isn’t his first run-in with the law. Just three years ago, he was on probation for attempting to sexually assault a woman at her Brickell condo. In that case, he followed her into the building and tried to attack her. He was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for burglary with assault, got credit for time served, and was released in May. However, prosecutors dropped the sexual battery and kidnapping charges after he pleaded guilty.
Now, police believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information to come forward by calling Crime Stoppers of Miami-Dade at 305-471-TIPS.
A Frightening Encounter in Downtown Miami
The latest incident happened at the Downtown 5th apartment building on NE Fifth Street. According to the victim, a 20-year-old woman, the terrifying encounter began after her roommate left their apartment on the morning of August 27.
The young woman, who doesn’t speak English well, was sitting on her balcony when she noticed an unknown man in her kitchen. He was dressed in a white T-shirt and black shorts and held part of a broken glass bottle in his hand. When she questioned him, he made a threatening gesture by running his thumb across his neck, which she interpreted as a death threat. Fearing for her life, she complied with his demands.
Police say the man took her to her bedroom, forced her to perform oral sex, and then sexually assaulted her. After he left, the woman immediately called her roommate. Together with her boyfriend, they spotted a man matching the description near the apartment building. Although they tried to catch him, he pushed the roommate against a wall and ran away.
Surveillance footage from the building’s lobby confirmed the man’s presence. A rape kit was conducted at the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center, and DNA results later identified Blackman as the suspect.
Arrest and Community Reactions
On December 3, police arrested Blackman at his apartment on NW 14th Avenue. At the special victims unit, he chose to remain silent.
Residents of the Downtown 5th apartment building have expressed concerns about security. “Anyone can walk in and go to any floor they want,” said one resident, Travis Brown. Another tenant added, “For the rent we’re paying, we definitely need better security.”
A Look Back at the 2021 Brickell Case
In May 2021, Blackman followed a woman into the upscale Brickell Flatiron building and rode the elevator with her to her floor. Once there, police say he forced his way into her apartment, pulled out a metal pipe, and demanded a sex act. The woman managed to escape after being struck and slapped several times.
Surveillance footage showed Blackman in the building, and after the images were shared widely, a tip led police to his location two days later. He reportedly confessed to the crime.
Police are urging anyone who might have more information about Blackman or other incidents to reach out. This case serves as a reminder of how important it is for the community to come together and report suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem.
