What to Know
- The case is related to a 2016 armed robbery and sexual assault that occurred in Miami Beach.
- Rafael Monroy was cleared of all charges in his trial.
A man accused of involvement in a 2016 Miami Beach armed robbery in which a sexual assault occurred has been cleared after spending nearly two years in prison.
Rafael Monroy said he spent time behind bars for a crime he didn't commit. Monroy was arrested in June 2016 along with two others over alleged involvement in an armed robbery of a couple that was walking along the sand at night near 8th Street and Ocean Drive on Miami Beach.
Police said Monroy pointed a gun at the pair and demanded their property while telling them to take off their clothes. One of the men – Xavier Lopez – allegedly sexually battered the female victim before they took off in a getaway car.
When Monroy was arrested, police said he was in possession of the victim’s rings.
In his trial, he was found not guilty and cleared of all charges. His mother now committed to clearing his name.
