MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 30-year-old man is accused of raping two women in Marion County, and there may be other victims, according to sheriff’s officials.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday said Dionne Le Trell Southall faces charges in two sexual battery cases that occurred in May and July in Summerfield.
According to the sheriff’s office, the first sex attack happened on May 25 in the 17800 block of SE 109th Avenue, where the victim said she had arranged to meet a man named “Chris Rous.”
The victim said “Chris” sent a friend request on Facebook and they were talking for three days before attempting to meet up, deputies said. The victim was told to meet “Chris” by a gate behind a business, where she was met by Southall, according to sheriff’s officials.
The sheriff’s office said he was hiding in the bushes and used the fake profile to lure the victim, who told deputies that Southall threatened her with a knife and forced her to take off her clothes before raping her.
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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.