September 22, 2008
Brandon Haught
Public Information Office

MAN WANTED FOR SEXUAL BATTERY AT BEACH

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding a man suspected in the sexual battery of a 47-year-old woman Sept. 14. The victim told investigators that the attack happened in the early morning hours in the 300 block of South Atlantic Avenue , Ormond Beach . She said that she didn’t know who the suspect was. He had attempted to talk her into consenting to having sex, but she repeatedly refused his advances. When she tried to get away from him, he forced her into a patch of trees and sexually battered her. There were no weapons involved.  

The victim said that she was visiting the area from out of state and was walking along A1A on her way to the beach at approximately 3:15 a.m. She told investigators that she was dealing with some personal issues and wanted to walk on the beach to clear her mind. A man driving a silver Chevy Impala stopped near her and attempted to talk her into getting into his car. When she refused, he drove away, but circled back around and approached her a second time. Once again he tried to convince her to get into the car. This time she ignored him and walked away from him onto the beach. Once she thought that the man was gone, the woman sat down on the beach. About half an hour later, though, the man suddenly appeared, having snuck up behind her. He sat down next to her and tried talking her into having sex with him. She got up to walk away when the man seized her from behind and forced her into a patch of trees. He sexually battered her and then left.  

The suspect is described as a white male in his late twenties. He has dark skin, brown eyes and brown hair. He’s approximately 6’ tall with a husky build and had some acne pits on his face. At the time of the attack, he wore plaid shorts, a white T-shirt, a gold chain and flip flops. The car he drove was a newer model, silver Chevy Impala with a dent in the rear quarter panel. It’s not clear which side the dent was on.  

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Investigator Fortin at (386) 323-0151 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida, toll-free, at 1-888-277-TIPS.  Callers to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000. Individuals can also Text a tip by texting “TIP231 plus the message” to CRIMES.