Marion County, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detective Hunter Kephart on Dec. 18, 2025, charged Dionne Southall, 30, with an additional count of sexual battery with use of physical force.
http://352today.com/news/257752-summerfield-man-arrested-for-multiple-rapes/
Southall was still in custody at the Marion County Jail following his November 5, 2025, arrest for battery by strangulation and two counts of sexual battery with use of a deadly weapon.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, Detective Kephart was made aware of a female victim who reported that Southall had raped her. The victim advised that she saw a press release about his arrest on Facebook, which prompted her to come forward.
During the victim’s interview, she told detectives that she was contacted by Southall on January 15, 2021, via Facebook, and they arranged to meet for sexual intercourse. Southall took the victim to a vacant home that was under construction. During the meeting, the victim no longer wanted to participate in the sexual encounter and tried to leave the residence. Southall attempted to prevent her from leaving by locking the door, but he was unsuccessful.
The victim advised that Southall continued to follow her and began to strangle her before dragging her into a wooded area in the 8200 block of SE 165th Mulberry Lane, in Lady Lake. Southall then forcibly raped the victim. She was fortunately able to escape when Southall briefly stopped the assault.
Based on the victim’s testimony, detectives responded to the area where the rape occurred and corroborated the incident location with her recollection of the assault.
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, detectives interviewed Southall at the Marion County Jail. Although he denied knowing the victim when confronted with her disclosure, Southall provided evidence to support her statements. He told detectives that he was living in the area at the time of the incident, he has a history of meeting women on Facebook for sex and confirmed that he was the person in the photos the victim received.
Southall was charged while in custody at the Marion County Jail, where he remains without bond.
