Honk News – (Marion County, FL) – Authorities have taken a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old into custody, facing allegations of assaulting a girl within a camper, as reported by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities reported that the trio encountered each other at a gathering, where one of the young men was armed and purportedly compelled the girl to return to his camper, as stated in the arrest affidavit.
We have chosen to identify the 18-year-old since he is considered a legal adult. Also, we chose to withhold the name of the 17-year-old due to his status as a minor and the fact that he has not been charged as an adult.
Two individuals have been taken into custody on allegations of sexual battery that includes physical force, aligning with the legal definition of rape in the state of Florida.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported that the girl managed to flee and get away from the camper. She subsequently reached out to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to file a report regarding the assault.
The affidavit reveals that the girl encountered the two suspects at a gathering on December 28 in Ocklawaha. At the gathering, a dispute arose between the two boys, and a firearm was brought into the conversation.
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After the party concluded, the 17-year-old, whose identity is withheld due to his age, reportedly leveraged his possession of a firearm to coerce the girl into the camper of the 18-year-old, later recognized as Austin Littleton, as stated in the affidavit.
Following the girl’s escape, the affidavit reveals that the two boys pursued her, attempted to stop her from departing, and kept driving closely behind her vehicle. They reportedly compelled the girl to halt her vehicle, but fled the scene when she started screaming.
The two individuals were taken into custody. During discussions with investigators, they refuted any claims of assaulting the girl.
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Nonetheless, officials indicated in the probable cause statement that the physical evidence and the injuries sustained by the boys during the incident contradicted their claims.
Little has been taken into custody at the Marion County Jail. A judge has ruled that he will remain in custody without the option for bail. A 17-year-old individual has been transported to the juvenile detention facility in Marion County.