MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – A woman raped in her apartment as she was in the middle of moving out because she didn’t feel safe is now suing the Addison Cove apartments because her attorneys say Kelvin Johnson, a convicted felon on probation, wasn’t a tenant but still stayed in the complex for months because he was squatting in an open room.
“Now, we have someone who was attacked brutally, viciously, and she has to live with that for the rest of her life,” attorney Maegan Bridwell said.
At a press conference Thursday, your Merritt Island Community Correspondent James Sparvero asked the victim how she felt when she learned the suspect was squatting in her building.
“Angry that anyone would allow that to happen, just like, understanding basic security,” she answered.
Two current tenants, Tiffany Marshall and Eddie Stephens, said new management since the attack has made improvements.
“I feel safer,” Marshall said, acknowledging squatting was a problem before.
The victim, who spoke out for the first time Thursday, said she complained to the office before what happened to her.
“I was proactive in leaving a dangerous environment and trying my best to do everything right, and that just kind of failed me,” she said.
Johnson is still in jail with no bond.
The new management didn’t want to respond to the lawsuit they said because they weren’t here at the time.
Sparvero then called and messaged the owner of complex who emailed him saying they’ll get back to him soon.
The defendants have 20 days to respond to the lawsuit.