A 12-year-old boy, accused of pinning down a 12-year-old girl and stuffing rocks into her mouth while his friends gang-raped her, has pleaded with a judge to be freed from jail, despite a prior run-in with the law that involved juvenile detention. The shocking case has unfolded in Miami, Florida, where police allege the brutal assault occurred in a community garden on June 18, 2025.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to police reports and witness statements, Jusiah Jones, aged 12, held the alleged victim down as his friend Nelson Nunez, 13, sexually assaulted her. Xavier Tyson, who was 14 at the time, is alleged to have assisted Jones in restraining the girl during the horrific incident. Investigators state that Jones placed rocks in the girl's mouth to muffle her screams as Nunez undressed and raped her.
The assault reportedly lasted for nearly 30 minutes, with the girl begging the boys to stop. Witnesses told police they heard her yelling "no, no, stop, stop, it hurts" during the attack. The assault only ceased when the boys heard her father calling out her name, prompting them to flee the scene.
Charges and Court Proceedings
All three boys have been charged as adults with rape, kidnapping, and false imprisonment. Jones and Nunez appeared in court on Wednesday for an Arthur hearing, a legal proceeding that allows judges to consider setting bonds for defendants charged with crimes not normally eligible for bail. During the hearing, Jones' lawyer implied that Nunez was the mastermind behind the crime, claiming Jones had expressed hesitation, saying, "We should stop. This is going too far. This is rape. We shouldn't be doing this."
Nunez and Jones have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Tyson, now 15, also faces sexual battery charges, with his case being reset and transferred to another judge. A fourth boy, who witnessed the assault but has not been charged, told police he did not intervene because he was outnumbered and feared retaliation.
Background and Mentorship Program
Jones' mother, Tecola Williams, revealed at the hearing that her son had been receiving mentorship from the Circle of Brotherhood, an organization of mostly black men dedicated to addressing community problems. She stated that Jones had been involved with the group since his release from juvenile detention last year, following an arrest where charges were ultimately dropped. Williams emphasized that he had "stayed out of trouble" since then, though details of the prior arrest remain unclear.
Earnest Hardy, a mentor with the Circle of Brotherhood, expressed shock at the allegations, saying, "Ever since I met this kid, it was surprising that he is in this situation. He's too young to be in there. There is no rehabilitation." The Daily Mail contacted the Circle of Brotherhood for comment, but no response has been reported.
Victim's Family Seeks Justice
The victim's mother, in an interview with WPLG, voiced her anguish and demand for justice. She stated, "I'm upset. I'm angry. I don't care if they get ten, 20, 30, 40, 50 years, 100 years, guess what, I'm gonna always feel like as a mother, as a woman, I'm gonna always feel like it's not enough." Her comments highlight the emotional toll of the case and the broader concerns about juvenile crime and rehabilitation.
Police reports further allege that Tyson fondled the girl's breasts while helping to hold her down, and Nunez reportedly asked the other boys, "You think I should put it in?" before raping the victim. The community garden, once a place for recreation, has become a crime scene that underscores ongoing issues with youth violence in the area.
