Florence man charged with attempted rape | Crime

A 37 year old man is being held in the Lauderdale County Jail on $75,000 bond, accused of trying to rape a 15 year old girl.

Jeffrey Joseph Hernandez is charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse, and domestic violence harassment.

The charges stem from an encounter on September 22nd at a home in Florence. Police tell WAFF 48 News that the victim was sleeping on a couch when she woke up to find Hernandez standing nude next to the couch, trying to pull her sheets off. The girl claims Hernandez was trying to undress her and asked her for sex. Police say the girl fought him fof and locked herself in another room. Hernandez reportedly screamed at the girl before going back to bed. A family member came and saw what was going on, and called police.

Hernandez threatened another family member when police arrived, according to official reports.