WINDERMERE, Fla. – Windermere police said they collected nearly 20 bags of evidence after serving a search warrant Thursday at a home off Bayshore Drive. They said they believe that at least three women were sexually battered at the home sometime before 2012.
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The investigation was reopened just months ago when a woman contacted police saying 48-year-old Darryl Patterson attempted to rape her this year.
Police Chief Dave Ogden said that more women have come forward since the news coverage on Thursday and he said he believes there are even more women.
When asked if they could have arrested Patterson on Thursday, Ogden said, "Yes, we could, but we want to make the best case we can."
Ogden said Patterson recorded the women engaging in sex acts, and at least two were unconscious.
Thursday evening Local 6 spoke to Patterson's attorney, Leslie Sweet. Sweet has since decided to no longer represent Patterson.
"You can have a video showing sexual acts, but you're not going to know about a lack of consent or whether there was consent unless you talk to the people involved," Sweet said.
That may be difficult, though, because police are trying to identify the three women seen on video. They are not sure if the women are alive or not. Two sketches were released to the public in March, but no leads resulted.
"Darryl Patterson is a regular member of the community," Sweet said of her former client. "He's very quiet, he's self-employed."
She also said he is a father.
Some of the incidents were reported in 2012 and the most recent attempted sexual battery occurred in February or March, but was reported to police in April, according to a nine-page affidavit released by police on Thursday. Patterson's attorney said they are preparing for an arrest.
Police said if you know Patterson and believe you were possibly a victim of a sexual assault or sexual battery to contact Windermere Police Department.