2008 Rape Suspect Convicted, Sentenced To Prison

Date Added: December 06, 2019 4:09 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

2008 RAPE SUSPECT CONVICTED, SENTENCED TO PRISON

A suspect in a rape on the beach in Ormond Beach more than a decade ago has been convicted of sexual battery and sent to prison thanks to DNA evidence and persistent work by detectives, prosecutors and the survivor of the 2008 attack.

Adam Gregory Shuman, 42 (DOB 12/8/1976), of Vero Beach, was convicted by a jury today, sentenced to 15 years in prison and designated as a sexual predator.

Shuman, 31 at the time, stalked, cornered and raped a 47-year-old woman in the dunes next to a beach ramp near the 300 block of South Atlantic Avenue in September 2008. The victim fought back but was unable to fend off her attacker, who is listed at 6’3” and 226 pounds. When she later met with investigators, the victim had multiple bruises on her legs and arms.

The victim was able to describe the attack, her attacker and his vehicle in detail. DNA swabs were collected and stored in a sexual assault evidence kit. At the time, though, despite the best efforts of investigators, they were unable to identify the suspect. The case went inactive in November 2008.

In 2015, as part of an effort to clear all backlogged sexual assault evidence kits, the Sheriff’s Office sent the DNA for forensic analysis. In October 2017, a match came back to Shuman, who was already a registered sex offender dating back to 1998.

Shuman took his case to trial this week and was convicted by a jury of his peers. The survivor of the attack traveled here from out of state, testified at trial and was able to see justice done.

“There’s one less sexual predator in our midst thanks to DNA and all the hard work that went into this case,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said after the verdict Friday. “Our detectives and prosecutors made sure this rapist got locked up where he belongs. But most of all we need to applaud the survivor whose bravery made it possible to put him away.”

“DNA matches, such as the one in this case, have revolutionized the way we prosecute sex crimes,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said. “No longer must victims be lone witnesses to rape—as they so typically are. Because of a commitment by law enforcement and the courageous victim, a sexual predator is now behind bars where he belongs.”