Jeremy Bittner: Miami biochemist arrested for drugging and sexually battering 3 women in luxury beach condo
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA: A biochemist based in Miami Beach is facing multiple charges after allegedly drugging and sexually battering several women in his luxury condo. Jeremy D Bittner, 41, was arrested on Monday, February 27, on multiple counts of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and possession of a controlled substance, as per Miami-Dade jail records. The charges stem from incidents dating back to 2022 that involved three female victims who detailed the horror that took place at Bittner's luxury condo 'The Waverly' located on the west side of Miami Beach.
'The way I would categorize him as an individual who victimized at least three women. He has caused pain and suffering that will last for the remainder of their life I'm sure,' said Miami Beach spokesperson Ernesto Rodriguez, as per NBC Miami. He is "a dangerous man who's been taken off of our streets. Thankfully these women were brave enough to come forward...ultimately our goal is to ensure that this man stays behind bars," he continued. Apart from the three victims who spoke up about the crime, the department believes that there could be more women that fell prey to Bittner's behavior. Thus, the cops are encouraging other victims to come forward, as per the outlet.
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How did Bittner lure the first alleged victim?
A 47-year-old woman told investigators that Bittner allegedly sexually battered her on January 30, 2022, according to arrest reports. As per her claims, the woman met Bittner in April or May of 2020 and considered him to be a friend as she believed him to be married at the time. However, later, the accused told her that he and his wife had separated and tried to make sexual advances toward her which the alleged victim refused. The woman then continued to give further details of the night of the incident claiming that Bittner had asked her to come over for a drink. Upon her arrival, she said that she saw him smoking crack and snorting cocaine and proceeded to offer her ecstasy.
While the woman said no to drugs, she did accept a glass of wine and after having it she began to feel drowsy and felt as if he had potentially drugged her drink. Bittner then allegedly sexually battered her as she attempted to get him off. "Due to her altered state, believed to be the result of being drugged, she was unable to defend herself," reads the arrest report. After eventually fighting Bittner off and the woman left his home. The biochemist has denied drugging the woman to the detectives and said that the sexual activity was consensual.
Woman, 25, claims she was sexually battered by Bittner
Another reported incident includes that of a woman, 25, who claimed that she was sexually battered by Bittner in late October 2022. The woman said that she was living in Rome and was searching for a place in Miami Beach which is when she was contacted by Bittner, who offered her a room in his apartment for $1,500 per month. After agreeing to the terms and landing in Miami, Bittner picked her up at the airport and took her back to his place, where she saw a table fully covered with drugs in the living room.
She added that Bittner snorted cocaine and immediately became physically violent as he pulled her head and grabbed a gun, telling her to "go along with the program." He continued to allegedly abuse her by grabbing her neck and pushing her onto the couch where he removed her clothing and sexually battered her, as per the reports. With her attempts to fight him off being unsuccessful, the woman was eventually able to contact an acquaintance to pick her up. Despite the severe allegations, Bittner claimed it to be a consensual encounter.
Bittner claims he was 'merely being nice' to the third victim
A third alleged victim told detectives that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Bittner on February 4 of this year. The 34-year-old woman said that she was in her condo when she was approached by Bittner while waiting for the elevator. The pair indulged in a talk and exchanged numbers. Later, he sent her a text asking her to come over to have drinks. She agreed and went to his condo where he offered her cocaine. However, she declined the offer. Bittner then got her to drink a vodka-mixed drink which made her feel "extremely relaxed" after sipping only a small amount of it.
At one point, Bittner allegedly forcefully poured a liquid into her mouth after which she woke up on his couch with no memory of anything before. After leaving his place, Bittner sent the woman photos he took of her while she was passed out on his soda. The woman also has a video proof where she is confronting Bittner and asking why he'd drugged her. In the clip, she told him she didn't want to be drugged, to which he replied: "Then why did you let yourself?" Addressing the case, Bittner told the detectives that he was "merely being nice" to her.
Bittner appeared in court on Tuesday, February 28. The state has requested a bond of $1 million.