HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A man from Georgia faces serious charges after traveling to Hillsborough County from Atlanta and committing a horrific crime against a woman, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Timothy Crawford, 52, allegedly went from Atlanta to the woman’s residence in Odessa on Carden Drive, where he carried out a violent attack after breaking into her home. The victim and Crawford were acquainted with each other, making the incident even more chilling.
Upon the woman’s arrival home, Crawford used a stun gun on her, followed by physically assaulting her, all while threatening her life and the lives of her children. The woman bravely fought back using a dumbbell, managing to escape, but Crawford callously shot and killed her pet dog before leaving the scene.
Neighbors heard the woman’s cries for help and immediately contacted emergency services, leading to Crawford’s subsequent arrest by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office when he returned to the residence. Law enforcement found various weapons around the home and in Crawford’s truck, along with incriminating evidence such as a bloody cellphone and alcohol containers.
The victim suffered severe injuries, including bruises, stun-gun burns, and multiple broken bones, as revealed by prosecutors. Crawford confessed to the home invasion, use of a taser, and the cruel act of killing the woman’s beloved pet. Prior to the attack, he disturbingly searched online about potential consequences for killing a woman.
Surveillance footage indicated Crawford’s entrance into Florida and his activities before and after the brutal assault, including checking into a hotel in Lutz. After the incident, Crawford even admitted his actions to his ex-wife during recorded phone calls from the detention center, hinting that he had planned the attack to some extent.
Crawford now faces serious charges of interstate domestic violence, firearm discharge during a crime of violence, and interstate stalking. If convicted, he could be imprisoned for a minimum of 10 years. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of taking swift and decisive action against such senseless acts of brutality.