Former Leesburg officer rapes woman at house party, deputies say

Report: Man arrested Tuesday after forcing himself on woman in March

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A former Leesburg officer accused of sexually battering a woman during a housewarming party in March was arrested Tuesday, Lake County deputies said.

Deputies said Dennis Putnam, 24, was arrested at 11:56 a.m. at his home after a woman said he raped her during the party.

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The victim told deputies that she had a few drinks and "somehow ended up in the guest bedroom," according to the arrest report.

When the victim woke up, Putnam was in the guest bedroom with her and forced himself on her, deputies said.

The victim told deputies that Putnam was very apologetic after the incident and said "This was not him and he had been drinking too much," according to the report.

Putnam was a probationary trainee officer from December until March 20, when he was terminated, Leesburg police said.

He was placed on administrative leave on March 5 until his termination, police said.

The Leesburg Police Department released the following statement to News 6 Tuesday afternoon about Putnam's employment:

"On 03/05/2017, the Leesburg Police Department (LPD) received the complaint of a sexual offense occurring within our jurisdiction.  Leesburg detectives responded to field the complaint and later determined the suspect was Probationary-Trainee Officer Dennis Putnam.  Detectives then contacted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office concerning the complaint and surrendered the case to their investigators immediately thereafter.

Dennis Putnam was hired by LPD, as a probationary-trainee on 12/29/2016.  He was relieved of duty on 03/05/2017 as a result of the above complaint, and his employment was terminated on 03/20/2017. 

Putnam was in the department’s field training program for approximately two-months and was under the direct oversight of a Field Training Officer throughout the duration of his employment with the City of Leesburg.

As with any criminal investigation, we seek justice and work diligently to serve justice under any circumstance."

Putnam was charged with sexual battery and booked into the Lake County Jail Tuesday, where he is being held on $10,000 bond, deputies said.


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