Umatilla High School student sexually assaulted walking home from school, deputies say

Assault happened around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Lake County deputies are searching for a man accused of sexually assaulting a student walking home from Umatilla High School, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies said the victim, described as a juvenile, was walking home around 2:30 p.m. Thursday when she was honked at by a man in a black pickup truck.

[RELATED: Lake deputies search for man accused of raping East Ridge High student at Clermont apartment complex]

The driver asked if she needed a ride and she got into the pickup, according to deputies.

Investigators said the man drove her to an area east of Alexander Springs and forced her out of the vehicle and into the wood line. The victim was sexually assaulted and the man left the scene, according to investigators.

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The sheriff’s office described the culprit as a tall white or mixed-race man in his late 20s with a skinny frame. He has a long, black beard and dark messy, thick hair, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said at the time of the attack, he was wearing dark blue jeans and a dark shirt with a white design on the front.

Investigators said the vehicle was a newer black dually pickup truck with a back seat. The sheriff’s office said the back seat could be a mess and there may be a red composition notebook on the front passenger floorboard.

The witness told investigators the vehicle also had a light window tint with a black leather interior and was lifted with off-road style tires and silver step bars on the sides. She also said large rectangular tow mirrors had a clear light attached to the vehicle.

The victim said the truck was also pulling a construction-style trailer.

Anyone with information about this attack is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 352-343-9529.

This incident comes after deputies said an 18-year-old East Ridge High School student was raped at an apartment complex this past Wednesday in Clermont.


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