‘Wanted’: Orange County man convicted of raping teen for years skips court on his trial’s last day

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County deputies said they are searching for a convicted rapist who fled law enforcement as his trial was set to end.

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Deputies said Diga Charles, 37, was convicted two weeks ago of “raping a teen for years.”

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Officials said Charles skipped court on the last day of his trial and remains on the run. Charles was last seen at the courthouse house on Nov. 29.

In 2020, Charles was arrested in an Orange County neighborhood and accused of raping the daughter of a family friend.

“That’s a horrifying crime and I feel so bad for the little girl... and that’s something that nobody should have to live through,” said neighbor Heather Catchpole.

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Catchpole did not recognize Charles, but she is familiar with the victim.

Witnesses told deputies when confronted about the crime, Charles “apologized for what he did and knew he would be going to prison for the rest of his life.”

Two years later, neighbors are horrified to learn that he is on the run after Orange County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert on social media.

Charles was out on bond and went to trial at the end of November. While he had been showing up for court, he did not show up on the very last day of court.

The court issued a failure to appear order and Charles was convicted of rape and lewd and lascivious exhibition.

Deputies said they need the community’s help in finding Charles and there is a warrant out for his arrest

He is around 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs around 180 pounds, deputies said.

Tips can be called in to Central Florida Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS(8477).

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