Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a Summerfield man in connection with two separate sexual battery cases reported just weeks apart. According to MCSO, Major Crimes Detective Henrik Osthed arrested 30-year-old Dionne Le Trell Southall on a charge of Sexual Battery with Use of a Deadly Weapon. While he was already in custody at the Marion County Jail, Sergeant Annemarie Larocque filed additional charges of Sexual Battery and Battery by Strangulation tied to an earlier report.
The first case was reported on May 25 in the 17800 block of SE 109th Avenue in Summerfield. Investigators say the victim accepted a Facebook friend request from a profile named “Chris Rous,” described as a white male. After three days of online communication, the victim agreed to meet behind a nearby business as instructed. When she arrived, she was confronted by Southall, who deputies say had been using the fake profile to lure her. The victim reported that he threatened her with a knife, demanded she remove her clothes, and forcibly raped her before she was able to flee and find help from a passing ambulance crew. She was transported to the hospital, where a sexual assault examination was completed.
While that case was under investigation, Detective Osthed was notified of another sexual battery reported on July 13 in the 10700 block of SE 173rd Street, also in Summerfield. The second victim told deputies she had been walking to Walmart when Southall approached on a bicycle and offered her a ride. She reported that he later offered her $100 for what he described as a “good time.” After she repeatedly refused, the victim said Southall forced her between two buildings, strangled her until she lost consciousness, and raped her. She reported the attack immediately, and a sexual assault examination was conducted.
Detectives linked the cases after Southall sent a Facebook friend request to the first victim and DNA evidence collected from both crime scenes matched his profile. After receiving the laboratory results from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Detective Osthed obtained an arrest warrant.
Southall remains in the Marion County Jail without bond. Given the pattern seen in these two cases, investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 732-9111.
