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POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida man is accused of sexually violating and robbing someone he curiously met online after implying he changed into a police officer who “had other officers outside,” the local sheriff’s office mentioned.
Thomas Lee Simmons, 37, became arrested Tuesday and charged with armed sexual battery, armed theft, grand theft and dealing with stolen property, all felonies, and featuring false information to a law enforcement officer, the Polk County Sheriff’s workplace (PCSO) pointed out in a Wednesday press liberate.
legislation enforcement bought a name from a man announcing he become attacked by somebody he had been speaking with via a courting site, who became identified through authorities as Simmons. The pair had planned to fulfill at the stay Plus lodge in Haines city, the sheriff’s office said.
however when Simmons arrived, he “pulled out a hard and fast blade with a brown tackle from a sheath attached to his belt and told the sufferer to strip naked and lay on the mattress,” the sheriff’s office pointed out.
Simmons is not believed to have notably said he became a police officer or a member of legislations enforcement, however his words and movements implied it, PCSO spokesperson Alicia Manautou instructed Fox information on Thursday.
“The suspect told the victim that he changed into with the narcotics unit and he had other officers backyard the room,” the sheriff’s office mentioned. “all through the stumble upon the suspect additionally pretended to speak on a radio to other individuals.”
trendy #CriminalOfTheDay is Thomas Simmons, who responded to an online courting advert, then committed armed sexual battery & theft on the sufferer at a lodge. he’s a scary & violent man. read the unencumber: https://t.co/LO8PP5t8Ph pic.twitter.com/AuqtY8FXOf
— Polk County Sheriff 🚔 (@PolkCoSheriff) December 30, 2020
Simmons is accused of getting rid of his clothes after which sexually battering the man, in keeping with the document. He then “instructed the sufferer that he had ‘agents’ going to the sufferer’s sister’s house and they have been going to ‘get her as neatly,’” the sheriff’s office observed.
moreover, PCSO noted Simmons stole the person’s iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, driver’s license, passport and three pairs of Air Jordan footwear.
Investigators later tracked him down at his female friend’s winter Haven domestic, the place they recovered the victim’s stolen property and the knife believed to were used, in response to authorities.
Simmons originally gave police the incorrect identification, however ultimately disclosed his authentic identify. He “admitted to assembly someone for intercourse earlier on the stay Plus hotel in Haines city” and to “taking the sufferer’s property devoid of permission,” PCSO spoke of.
“This become the act of a violent crook with a crook background, and the outcome might have been a great deal worse,” Sheriff Grady Judd mentioned. “I encourage anyone the usage of online dating services to be cautious. Meet with strangers in a public area, like a restaurant, and certainly not provide out your very own counsel like your home address until you as a minimum get to know that grownup superior. one more take care of is to tell a depended on family member where you’re going, and install a time to check in with that grownup, just in case.”
jail records demonstrate Simmons become additionally wanted on warrants on the time of his arrest and violated his parole, Fox mentioned. He remained in custody devoid of bond until a Thursday courtroom appearance.
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