In a disturbing series of events unfolding in Marion County, Florida, a 30-year-old man is facing serious accusations of sexual assault involving two women. Local authorities are concerned there may be additional victims yet to come forward.
The individual at the center of these allegations, Dionne Le Trell Southall, has been charged in connection with two separate incidents of sexual battery. Both attacks allegedly occurred in Summerfield, one in May and another in July, as reported by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.
Details from the sheriff’s office reveal that the first reported attack took place on May 25 on SE 109th Avenue. According to the victim’s account, she had arranged to meet someone she believed to be named “Chris Rous,” a connection initially made through a Facebook friend request. After three days of online communication, the victim agreed to meet “Chris” at a location specified as a gate behind a local business.
However, the meeting turned into a nightmare. Instead of “Chris,” the victim encountered Southall, who had been hiding in the bushes. Authorities state that Southall had used the alias and fake profile to deceive and lure the victim. Armed with a knife, he allegedly coerced the victim into disrobing before sexually assaulting her.
The sheriff’s office is urging anyone with information about these incidents or other potential victims to come forward, as the community grapples with the unsettling nature of these crimes.
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The victim was able to escape and sought help from a nearby ambulance, deputies said. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
As the investigation continued, the sheriff’s office learned of another sexual battery that happened on July 13 in the 10700 block of SE 173rd Street.
The victim in this case told deputies she was walking to Walmart when a man on a bicycle, identified as Southall, asked her if she wanted a ride and then offered her $100 for a “good time,” the sheriff’s office said.
Southall became angry when the victim refused and forced her into a secluded area between buildings, took off her clothes, choked her to the point she lost consciousness and raped her, deputies said. The victim later reported the crime to law enforcement.
Evidence from the crime scenes and DNA from the sex assault kits on each victim matched Southall’s DNA, the sheriff’s office said. The fake Facebook profile was also linked back to Southall.
Southall is in custody at the Marion County jail, where he is being held without bond. He faces charges of sexual battery with the use of a deadly weapon, sexual battery and battery by strangulation.
Due to the pattern of the crimes, Marion County deputies believe there may be other victims. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 352-732-9111.
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