200 Sex Offenders Live Near Area Where Jogger's Body Found
Rape Suspect: 'I Wouldn't Hurt A Fly'
POSTED: Sunday, June 15, 2008
UPDATED: 7:29 pm EDT June 15,
2008
 |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- More than 200 sex offenders live near an area where a Central Florida jogger was found killed, Local 6 has learned.
Map Of Attacks
The body of University of Central Florida graduate student Nicole Ganguzza, 26, was discovered near Blanchard Park, located off the Econ Trail on Wednesday.Investigators have been trying to determine if Ganguzza's attack can be linked to the "east-side rapist" -- who is believed to be responsible for several earlier attacks on women in the same area.Over the weekend, investigators were scattered around an unusually empty Blanchard Park."This park is always packed," resident Amy Fillinger said. "Yeah, I'm very uneasy right now. We are just going to eat and go. I've noticed myself looking around more -- looking over my shoulder."Many woman at the park said they were surprised to learn that more than 200 sex offenders live within a five-mile radius of the park."Seeing (the sex offender map) makes my heart skip a beat," Fillinger said."That is pretty scary," a female jogger said.
Garcia Mug Shots
Clemente Garcia's arrest was in connection with the rape of a woman last fall outside of an East Orange County apartment complex. Detectives said DNA results led to Garcia's arrest.Investigators also said they planned to question Garcia about a series of other rapes in the area and the Ganguzza case, Local 6 reported."Did you kill Nicole Ganguzza?" Local 6's Mike Deforest asked."No, sir," Garcia said."Are you the "east-side rapist?" Deforest asked."No, sir," Garcia said.Garcia said it is unfair that his name was associated with the Ganguzza case."I wouldn't hurt a fly," Garcia said while crying. "I swear I wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't want my parents and grandparents to think I'm a bad guy."Garcia also claims to know nothing about the crime he is charged with -- raping a woman outside an apartment complex."I had sex with a girl at a party -- with a couple of girls," Garcia said. "But I never raped any females. I never raped a girl."A composite of the "east-side rapist" looks similar to Garcia, Deforest reported."Some people would say you look real similar to that drawing," Deforest said."(The sketch) looks like a Mexican guy," Garcia said."You don't think it looks like you?" Deforest asked."No," Garcia said.Garcia said detectives have not asked him about Ganguzza's case."I think they just want me to be someone they can look at and point fingers (at) for a while," Garcia said.Orange County investigators have not linked Garcia to the Ganguzza murder or the "east-side rapist" cases, Deforest reported. But, they have not officially ruled him out.Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Map Of Attacks The body of University of Central Florida graduate student Nicole Ganguzza, 26, was discovered near Blanchard Park, located off the Econ Trail on Wednesday.Investigators have been trying to determine if Ganguzza's attack can be linked to the "east-side rapist" -- who is believed to be responsible for several earlier attacks on women in the same area.Over the weekend, investigators were scattered around an unusually empty Blanchard Park."This park is always packed," resident Amy Fillinger said. "Yeah, I'm very uneasy right now. We are just going to eat and go. I've noticed myself looking around more -- looking over my shoulder."Many woman at the park said they were surprised to learn that more than 200 sex offenders live within a five-mile radius of the park."Seeing (the sex offender map) makes my heart skip a beat," Fillinger said."That is pretty scary," a female jogger said.
Rape Suspect: 'I Wouldn't Hurt A Fly'
Meanwhile, a man accused of raping a woman in the same area and who will likely be questioned in Ganguzza's death said he "wouldn't hurt of fly" during an interview on Saturday. Garcia Mug Shots Clemente Garcia's arrest was in connection with the rape of a woman last fall outside of an East Orange County apartment complex. Detectives said DNA results led to Garcia's arrest.Investigators also said they planned to question Garcia about a series of other rapes in the area and the Ganguzza case, Local 6 reported."Did you kill Nicole Ganguzza?" Local 6's Mike Deforest asked."No, sir," Garcia said."Are you the "east-side rapist?" Deforest asked."No, sir," Garcia said.Garcia said it is unfair that his name was associated with the Ganguzza case."I wouldn't hurt a fly," Garcia said while crying. "I swear I wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't want my parents and grandparents to think I'm a bad guy."Garcia also claims to know nothing about the crime he is charged with -- raping a woman outside an apartment complex."I had sex with a girl at a party -- with a couple of girls," Garcia said. "But I never raped any females. I never raped a girl."A composite of the "east-side rapist" looks similar to Garcia, Deforest reported."Some people would say you look real similar to that drawing," Deforest said."(The sketch) looks like a Mexican guy," Garcia said."You don't think it looks like you?" Deforest asked."No," Garcia said.Garcia said detectives have not asked him about Ganguzza's case."I think they just want me to be someone they can look at and point fingers (at) for a while," Garcia said.Orange County investigators have not linked Garcia to the Ganguzza murder or the "east-side rapist" cases, Deforest reported. But, they have not officially ruled him out.Anyone with information about the case is urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Previous Stories:
- June 13, 2008: Man Apparently Fitting 'East-Side Rapist' Description Questioned In Jogger Homicide
- June 12, 2008: Missing Jogger Found Dead In Same Area Of 'East-Side Rapist' Attacks
- June 11, 2008: Missing UCF Student Found Dead
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