New Port Richey Man Accused Of Raping Child, Setting Fire To Home

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A 33-year-old New Port Richey man was arrested Sunday after being accused of raping an 8-year-old girl and then setting fire to his home.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, John Aquila was in the process of sexually battering an 8-year-old girl in a bedroom of his home when a woman walked in and witnessed the assault. She called 911.

The witness removed the child from the home and took her for a physical exam, which showed signs of a recent sexual battery. The girl told detectives that the abuse had been occurring for about a year.

In the meantime, deputies said Aquila locked himself in his home and threatened suicide. As deputies tried to talk him out, the home filled with smoke.

Deputies found Aquila climbing out a bathroom window and took him into custody.

Aquila later admitted to setting two beds and a fake Christmas tree on fire. He told detectives he started the fires because he “did not want anyone to have anything.”

He told detectives that he did not want to die, so he climbed out the bathroom window.

Aquila was charged with sexual battery of a child under the age of 12 and first-degree arson.