Nashali Alma: Florida fitness trainer 24, who bravely defended herself from alleged rapist in gym says to not 'give up'
TAMPA, FLORIDA: A Florida woman has spoken out after bravely defending herself from an assault in an apartment gym, leading to the arrest of a suspect. Nashali Alma, 24, an Instagram model, was exercising in the gym at the Inwood Park Apartment Complex in Tampa when Xavier Thomas-Jones attacked her on Sunday, January 22, with the intention to sexually assault her.
Thomas-Jones was arrested on January 23, 2023. He faces charges of sexual battery, false imprisonment, and kidnapping. He was let into the gym by Nashali as according to her she had seen Xavier previously in the gym, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office shared in a news release.
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Alma was pinned to the ground but she continued to fight him off
Thomas-Jones then grabbed Alma and pinned her on the floor. She continued to fight him off while attempting to call 911. Eventually, he released his grip on Alma, and she immediately ran out of the gym to a nearby apartment. Thomas was tracked within 24 hours and placed under custody, the news release added.
'Never give up'
Nashali has spoken out about the attack by saying, never give up. "I would tell every woman always to keep fighting, never give up," Alma said. "As long as you fight back and show him that you’re strong and you’re not giving up, I believe it's possible to escape. It’s better to reach out to law enforcement sooner than later. The sooner they have the information, the sooner they can catch that person."
'This woman's strength, courage, and determination are inspiring'
Sheriff Chad Chronister said, "I was disgusted by the suspect’s actions, how he preyed on this young woman.” Chad added, "This woman's strength, courage, and determination are inspiring. I know that her bravery to share this story will impact the lives of many other women."
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office also shared the video captured by a surveillance camera of the attack and the brave story of Nashali Alma which she narrated in a video. "When it was happening, I actually had no fear," Alma said. "I am a bodybuilder, and I’m actually pretty strong, so in my mind, he was kinda equal to me," she said.
The attacker wanted to rape Nashali
The attacker wanted to rape Nashali as per the court documents cited by FOX 13. Xavier admitted to officers that he was intending to sexually assault her, the station reported.