A judge ordered a man held without bond Monday on first-degree murder and other charges after authorities said he attacked a woman in Miami Beach last week.
Michael Sarmiento, 67, also faces charges of sexual battery on a physically helpless victim and aggravated battery, online Miami-Dade Corrections records showed. He was represented by a public defender in bond court during his appearance before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cristina Miranda.
Sarmiento knew the victim for two months and wanted to have sex with her but she always declined his sexual advances, Miami Beach Police said in an arrest report.
Sarmiento admitted that when he saw the woman intoxicated and asleep in the meter room of a building at 1434 Collins Ave. last Wednesday, Jan. 29, he was upset because he was looking for her, the report said.
He wanted to have sexual intercourse with the woman but she declined, police said, and Sarmiento became agitated and repeatedly slapped and punched her in the face.
He also choked her neck for two to three to minutes and sexually battered her, police said in the arrest report.
Sarmiento said that he left the room after he realized the victim needed medical assistance and felt responsible for his actions, and called 911, according to the report.
The victim was taken to a hospital, where she died on Saturday, the report said.
