A Key Largo man was arrested in North Carolina in the early morning hours today by U.S. Marshals. He is wanted for repeatedly raping a Key Largo teen and for threatening her with a knife and a gun on multiple occasions to force her to comply with the sexual activity.
The teen victim reported the abuse to a school resource officer who called in the Sheriff s Major Crimes Unit to investigate. Detectives Deborah Ryan and Lissette Zuelch were assigned to the case. The abuse reportedly took place over the past two years. During that time, Hammer repeatedly threatened the victim and said he would harm her family members and friends if she didn t comply. After interviewing the victim and several witnesses, the detectives obtained warrants for his arrest.
Hammer fled the area before he could be arrested. Detectives received information about where he was and notified the U.S. Marshal s Service, asking them for assistance in apprehending him.