A 19-year-old Ocala man is facing two felony charges after Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives say he sexually battered a woman inside his home, secretly recorded part of the encounter and later acknowledged his actions during a recorded telephone conversation with the alleged victim.
Dylan James Hance, 19, was arrested Saturday, October 24, at his residence on Pecan Road in Ocala. He faces charges of sexual battery on a victim 18 or older without physical force or violence, and digital voyeurism.
According to the arrest affidavit, the investigation began October 23 after the alleged victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted by Hance, with whom she had previously engaged in consensual sexual activity.
The woman told detectives she arrived at Hance’s residence around 12:44 p.m. to collect her belongings. Although the two initially embraced, she alleged that Hance began touching her inappropriately before leading her into his bedroom.
Once inside, the woman told investigators, Hance ordered her to undress in a stern manner. She said she complied out of fear because of his alleged history of pushing, choking and slapping her.
According to the affidavit, Hance then sexually assaulted the woman despite her explicitly telling him “no.”
The woman explained that previous sexual encounters between the two had been consensual, with both parties communicating their intentions beforehand. She told detectives that nothing resembling the October 23 encounter had happened previously.
Investigators said the woman’s account was supported by text messages exchanged with Hance later that afternoon.
In messages sent around 4:03 p.m., Hance allegedly expressed concern about getting into trouble. When the woman confronted him about the assault, detectives said he initially denied responsibility before acknowledging what happened and attempting to shift blame onto her.
The woman subsequently agreed to participate in a recorded telephone conversation with Hance, which investigators said provided additional evidence.
During the conversation, Hance allegedly acknowledged sexually assaulting the woman and apologized multiple times, although detectives noted that he repeatedly attempted to walk back his admissions.
Investigators said Hance also admitted to taking photographs during the encounter and sending them to another person, although he claimed to have deleted them.
The investigation took another turn after deputies arrested Hance at his residence and transported him to the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
Following a Miranda warning, detectives said Hance admitted to producing a 14-second video depicting the sexual assault without the woman’s knowledge or consent.
According to the affidavit, Hance allowed investigators to view the recording, which allegedly showed him sexually penetrating the woman while she was positioned on her stomach.
Detectives said Hance acknowledged that the recording was made without her consent.
The affidavit further alleges that Hance had arranged for the woman to engage in sexual activity at the request of a friend, purportedly to prove that she would be disloyal.
Investigators said Hance initially attempted to justify his actions by arguing that the woman had eventually cooperated after saying no. However, detectives noted that he ultimately acknowledged overlooking several issues involving consent.
In his report, Detective Henrik Osthed wrote that the woman’s allegations were corroborated by the text messages, recorded telephone conversation and Hance’s own statements.
The detective also noted that the recording was produced under circumstances in which the woman had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Hance was transported to the Marion County Jail following his arrest. The affidavit indicated that he would be held without bond pending his first appearance before a judge.
