EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating after multiple shots were fired just after noon Saturday while dozens of youth cheerleaders and football players enjoyed their Saturday game day just a few blocks away.
EPD received multiple calls about shots fired beginning at 12:01 p.m. Saturday and callers believed the shots were at Carver Park and officers rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the shots actually occurred on Wall Street between Virginia Avenue and Hollywood Avenue after finding multiple shell casings and speaking with witnesses, Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. Carver Park is on Bates Avenue, and a gate to the back of the park is on Virginia Avenue. No one was injured in the shooting, but a bullet did go through a fence and the back window of a home on Virginia Avenue.
Detectives and EPD’s crime scene investigator responded to the scene and investigated for more than three hours, Capri said. No suspect information was released, and Capri expressed his disgust that anyone would fire shots so close to where children were gathered, referring to the suspects as “idiots.”
“We have zero tolerance for gun violence in our city,” Capri said.
PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake
The shots startled coaches, parents and kids at the Eustis Jr. Panthers field at Carver Park. A coach from a Lakeland team retrieved a firearm from his vehicle to protect his family, he told police, and the sight of the firearm caused an altercation at the park. Officers then responded back to the park and detained the coach. He was questioned and released. Inside Lake is not naming the man because he was not charged with a crime. For safety reasons, EPD canceled the remainder of the games for the day, Capri said.
If you have information on Saturday’s shooting, call EPD at 352-357-4121 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
TAVARES, Fla.—The woman accused of helping mastermind an ambush attack on Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies may pay for her crimes with her life.
Fifth Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorney Kenneth Nunnelley filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty late Tuesday afternoon in the case against Julie Sulpizio.
Sulpizio, 48, is accused of starting an altercation with her neighbors on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis on Aug. 2. LCSO responded to the altercation and during a well-being check at her home, just down the street from the original call, Master Deputy Bradley Link was shot and suffered fatal wounds. In an immediate rescue attempt of Link, K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell was shot in the wrist and in a subsequent rescue attempt, Deputy Stefano Gargano was shot multiple times. Howell and Gargano have since been released from the hospital and continue to recover from their injuries.
Evidence at the scene revealed Julie’s husband, Michael, and daughters, Cheyenne and Savannah, opened fire on the deputies and all three were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after LCSO’s SWAT made entry to the home.
Sulpizio is facing a multitude of charges, including principal to first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, three counts of principal to attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of battery and one count of battery on a law enforcement officer.
Sulpizio is being held on no bond at an undisclosed detention center and has pleaded not guilty.
Publisher’s note: Nina Rosania touched many lives in her short 43 years, including my own. I thought it was important to recognize her for the imprint she left on this community and the hole it now has to fill with her absence. I wanted to give people the opportunity to share stories and their feelings about Nina, so those who missed out on meeting her would know what a caring, selfless person she was. I met Nina after I started Inside Lake. She barely knew me in the beginning, and she’d come to my defense in these ever-so-popular word of mouth groups when people weren’t happy with a story I wrote. She’d tip me to different things, and she’d take photos for me too…and never wanted credit. Sometimes when a photo was labeled “Courtesy photo,” it was her. She truly wanted Inside Lake to succeed, as she did with all the Lake County small businesses. She’d send me random messages, most starting with “Hello, beautiful,” and she would tell me what I was doing was important and not to get discouraged when one of my stories was under attack. A bad day could change instantly when you got an encouraging message from Nina. In honor of Nina’s memory, I challenge everyone to perform a random act of kindness before the end of the year. I’m going to miss you, Nina. The world is a dimmer place. – Marilyn M. Aciego
EUSTIS, Fla.—Lake County is a dimmer place after a well-known small business advocate, law enforcement supporter, mother and friend, lost her battle with kidney disease earlier this month.
Nina Rosania, 43, died Sept 21 at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, after suffering a medical emergency at her Eustis home. Rosania fought hard for more than 10 years, undergoing numerous surgeries and countless hospital stays.
Known throughout the community, Rosania was a tireless advocate for small businesses and law enforcement, but first she was a mother. She often posted the meals she cooked for her two boys, Mikey, 17, and Joey, 10, on her Facebook page, giving her nearly 650 friends a small glimpse of the love she had for her boys. Many times, she was in the kitchen cooking up a meal just days or even hours after being released from the hospital.
Nina Rosania and her beloved boys, Mikey and Joey. Photo: Nina Rosania/Facebook
“My boys, my world” accompanied each post and her love for them was obvious from her other posts about Mikey’s sports and academic accomplishments, and trips to Mall at Millenia just to get Joey a video game he wanted.
Rosania was born in Newark, New Jersey and moved to Florida as a child. She was a graduate of Eustis High School and lost her parents when she was in her 30s, longtime friend Shannon Cook told Inside Lake. She enjoyed patronizing local restaurants and some of her favorites were El Marie and That Place, both in Eustis, and Tavares restaurants, Kalua Beach Bar, Tavares Dog House and Lake Harris Hideaway. She also loved the beach.
Nina Rosania. Photo courtesy of Sal Rosania
Before her health declined, Rosania worked in real estate and repossessed vehicles for a living and after, she bought and sold items on resale sites.
Rosania constantly advocated on local “word of mouth” Facebook groups for Lake County businesses, by sharing their posts, recommending them and even moderating groups to drum up business. Rosania was also a strong supporter of law enforcement, taking on a supporting role, helping Cook organize the annual “Back the Blue and Red Walk.” Rosania did not look for recognition for the things she did. She selflessly helped people behind the scenes and sometimes they did not even know she helped. Late last year, she helped organize a benefit for Lake County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Adam Tytler who was battling cancer at the time. Tytler only found out last week Rosania was instrumental in helping with the benefit organized by Cook and LCSO Lt. Kristin Thompson. Inside Lake attended the benefit and spoke with Tytler in the hours after Rosania’s death.
“I first met her at the charity benefit,” Tytler told Inside Lake. “Life isn’t fair. It seems the good ones are taken too soon and the bad ones stay longer than they should.”
Photo courtesy of Sal Rosania
As news of Rosania’s passing made its way through Lake County, social media posts started pouring in about the friend she was, how she helped small businesses get the word out, her staunch support of law enforcement and her immense love for her two boys. Cook started a fundraiser to benefit Rosania’s boys, and at press time it had reached about 10 percent of its goal; to donate, visit Honoring Nina’s Legacy for Her Beloved Sons Bonnie Whicher Photography is also donating a portion of proceeds from some of her photo shoots to benefit Rosania’s boys. “Fifty percent of all family photo sessions in the studio or on-location scheduled with me in October will go directly to Nina’s children,” Whicher told Inside Lake.
Rosania was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Rosania and Noella Benton Clark, and stepfather, Robert “Bob” Clark. She is survived by her sons, Mikey Napoli and Joey Holt; and siblings, Sal Rosania, Shannon Houstoun, and half-brother Chuck Ania, along with close friends and supporters, Blaine and Nadzeya Langford. A Celebration of Life for Rosania is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, Hamlin & Hilbish Chapel, 326 East Orange Avenue, Eustis, followed by a gathering from 3 to 5 p.m. at Tavares Dog House, 201 West Ruby Street, Tavares.
Nina Rosania, left, before she was sickened by kidney disease. Tavares artist Roger Ballas’ rendering of Nina he gifted to longtime friend Shannon Cook, right.
Inside Lake asked the community to share some words about Rosania.
I came into the picture when I was 16 years old, and I was the primary babysitter for (a family’s) children and any parties they had. (Mom of the family) liked to refer to me as her extra set of eyes. Through these parties, I got to meet Nina. Back then, she still had this metallic blue Lexus sedan sitting on the craziest looking rims I had ever seen, and I remember thinking to myself I wanted to grow up and be just like her! She was a repo lady and had zero fears at all, or so it seemed. Mikey, her oldest was barely walking when I came into their lives. She always had a French pedicure and made sure her makeup and hair were on point, even with such a young child (which honestly is a huge inspiration to me now, being a single mom). She made everything look so easy. The last time I got to see her out and about was my son’s 2nd birthday party last year. I’ve never seen her so frail until (her last hospital stay.) I opened Facebook to a flood of please pray for Nina, she’s on life support, and I broke. I knew I had to find out where she was, I had to go see her one last time. When I walked in the room, I immediately said, “Hey gorgeous, look at you with your hair braided,” I and kept the compliments flowing. All these children that I helped take care of so many years ago were coming to give tearful goodbyes to this angel we’ve had in our lives. I won’t lie, I broke quite a few times in that room with her. I brought her a seashell since I know she hasn’t been able to get in the water for some time, and anyone who knew Nina knows how much she loved the beach. I also had our last “teatime” with her, and we all noticed her blood pressure rising each time I told her more juicy tea. It was amazing and (another visitor) kept saying, keep talking Katie, she knows you are here!! I promised her I would spend the next two years collecting seashells for her and continuing to fight for myself and my child, which is something she taught me how to do. I intend on spreading love and positivity, just like Nina taught us all to do. – Katie Thompson, longtime friend
I think Nina Rosania’s signature greeting, was hello beautiful I don’t think she ever knew how much she touched my heart especially when I was fighting my own battles of kidney disease and this was after I had just got done with 6 months of doing chemo for stage 4 Endometriosis and 5 weeks every day of radiation! She was a rock for me. – Linda Sitterson, friend
Little did I know when I bought something from an online stranger 10 years ago it would be the start of a cherished, close friendship. She had just been diagnosed with kidney failure and we became fast friends. She was the most selfless person I have ever met! There was nothing Nina wouldn’t do for her boys and her community! I watched her suffer with the disease over the years, but she never gave up! Ten years ago, the doctors said she had a year! She fought for nine more years which I have no doubt she did for her children. I will forever cherish our friendship, our beach trips, our events we were worked on together and most definitely her assistance with my social media page. (I’m not a techy person!) More than anything I will miss our nightly talks when we sat on her bed talked about our days. I’m glad she isn’t suffering anymore but the selfish part of me isn’t sure how to live without her.– Shannon Cook, friend
Shannon Cook and Nina Rosania. Photo courtesy of Shannon Cook
I met Nina through a community initiative to support local families who were struggling with food, basic necessities, and school supplies. Nina didn’t just participate—she led by example, offering her time and skills to organize and execute the project. It was incredible to see her dedication and energy transform what began as a small effort into something that impacted so many. And this was just one of the countless ways Nina gave back to the community. She was always involved in something, always helping others. Her kindness and generosity touched so many lives, and her example will continue to inspire us all. – Natalie Werner, friend
I met Nina during my road patrol duties visiting the schools, she was very kind and introduced me to her Joey who absolutely loves law enforcement. I remember eating lunch with Joey and showing him my patrol car. From that point on, he was my little special friend. Nina and Joey would visit me at the station and give me donuts or a special card he made just for me. Nina told me anytime Joey saw a Eustis police car he would ask Nina if it was me. Nina was a very special person who always took time to help the community. She didn’t ask for fame or recognition; she just wanted to help the community because she truly loved this city, she loved law enforcement, and she loved people. She will be missed, and as long as I wear this uniform, I will do my best to look out for Joey.– Sgt. Lauren Brown, Eustis Police Department
Eustis Police Department Sgt. Lauren Brown and Joey in 2020. PHOTO: Eustis Police Department
Nina was the most giving person I’ve ever met. Even if you joked about wanting or needing something she would jump and get it for you. One time I commented on one of her many food posts on how amazing it looked and 5 minutes later she was at my door with a bowl for me. My wife was like, “Why is the garage sale lady making you food?” She always pointed people to Eustis Sign Co. and always promoted our business. I always called Nina my dealer since she sold 100’s of DVDs to me and helped me start my collection. – Jeremiah Ellsworth, friend
Nina was a tireless advocate for small businesses, always championing their growth and success. She believed in the power of local businesses to uplift and shape the character of our community. She knew the importance of coming together, and she brought people together in ways that strengthened the bonds between us all. Her giving spirit and generous nature extended to everyone. Nina was deeply involved in countless community initiatives, always the first to volunteer, to show up, to give of herself. Whether it was through volunteering with local community groups like CleanUp Eustis or lending a helping hand to anyone in need, Nina’s impact was felt far and wide. Though she has left this world, her influence remains in every corner of our town, in the lives she touched, and in the businesses, she helped thrive. Nina’s children—who she loved with every fiber of her being—carry forward her legacy. To them, we send all of our love and condolences. Please know that the entire community stands with you during this time. I will forever miss Nina’s kind heart, her unwavering commitment, and her radiant smile. The void she leaves behind in our community is immeasurable, but I take comfort in the knowledge that her spirit will continue to guide us all, reminding us to be generous, compassionate, and to always lift each other up—just as she did.–Christine Cruz, Interim Eustis City Commissioner
Christine Cruz and Nina Rosania. Photo courtesy of Christine Cruz
My son, Enzo and Mikey went to school together and were best friends when they were younger. Nina was such an amazing woman, mom and friend to so many! I remember her favorite thing was doing all the Halloween bags for so many kids! She was so giving to everybody no matter who you were! She will definitely be missed by so many as well as her giving heart to our community! Another good human taken too soon! – Wanda Baldwin, friend
She gave me a keychain with a phrase a few months ago that is with my truck key, a reminder of a standing argument we had. “I love you the most. The end.” – Sal Rosania, brother
EUSTIS, Fla.—A social media post about a Eustis group home set off a firestorm of comments earlier this week in the popular Facebook group Eustis FL Word of Mouth.
A member of the group posted about an interaction she had with young resident of the home and expressed her concerns that the child may have been abused. Inside Lake reached out to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri and he said “there are no signs of abuse” at the Press Forward group home that houses teen and preteen girls. “It doesn’t appear any there is any abuse or neglect,” Capri told Inside Lake. “Everything is in compliance.”
Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri
The house, located at 1600 East Orange Avenue, has been the site of numerous calls for service, Capri said, and many of the residents suffer from mental health issues. He met with the owner of Press Forward this week to discuss how they can work together to reduce the number of calls for service. Last month, a 15-year-old girl was reported missing from the facility after she was picked up by an 18-year-old female. Both were later found safe and the staff member who allowed the 15-year-old to leave with the 18-year-old was fired from the facility, Capri said.
Eustis Police Department distributed this flyer after a teen was reported missing from a Press Forward group home.
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) inspected the facility following the report of the missing teen and they are “involved,” Capri said. “The safety of the children is the most important.”
TAVARES, Fla.—A man convicted of shooting a woman twice in Mount Dora last year has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
In March 2023, Mount Dora Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Pine Avenue on a report of a shooting and when they arrived, they found a woman in a 2010 Nissan passenger vehicle suffering from two gunshot wounds. The victim told police “Jason,” later identified as Jason Jameel Ganga, shot her while she was attempting to leave. There were two bullet holes through her driver’s side window, an affidavit in the case states.
Police found Ganga underneath a bed, grabbed his legs and pulled him out. As they pulled him out, they saw he was holding a .40 caliber semi-automatic Smith & Wesson handgun to his temple and actively pulling the trigger but the gun did not have a magazine. The gun was secured, and Ganga, who showed signs of alcohol intoxication, was taken into custody. He refused to cooperate during questioning and a search of the home revealed multiple firearms, including handguns and rifles, with ammunition scattered throughout.
In June, Ganga, 38, was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and aggravated battery. He was represented by Spencer Rhodes of Orlando and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Gabriel Lozano and Eddie Moffitt.
“The defendant’s crime was a brutal attempt on an innocent woman’s life, a clear disregard for the sanctity of human life, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of that crime,” Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney said in a press release Tuesday.
Ganga must serve at least 25 years of his 30-year sentence.
MARYLAND—For 13 years, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri has been riding his bicycle to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and fallen law enforcement officers around the country during the Tour de Force 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride, and this year the ride means a bit more— he is riding for fallen Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link.
The memorial ride started in 2002 and has since evolved into honoring both the victims of 9/11 and law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.
“This year I’m dedicating my ride to Master Deputy Link, who made the ultimate sacrifice” Capri said. “(The loss of Link) touched everybody in Lake County.”
Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri is honoring Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link in this year’s Tour de Force 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride. Courtesy photos
Participants started their four-day ride Friday and will travel about 180 miles to honor and raise money for the families of law enforcement officers who lost their lives. The route participants ride is not publicly released for safety reasons.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 4,723 law enforcement officers have lost their lives since 2001. That figure does not include law enforcement officers who died in 2024.
Capri, an avid bicyclist in his off-time, said he plans on participating in this annual event until he is in his 90s because it is so important to him.
“We honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Capri told Inside Lake. “We can never forget these heroes.”
Link’s photo will be affixed to Capri’s bicycle for the entire ride through Maryland and Delaware.
TAVARES, Fla.—Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stefano Gargano has been released from the hospital.
More than 100 fellow law enforcement officers, friends and family members lined the sidewalk to welcome Gargano as he was released from HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, exactly one month after he was shot while attempting to rescue Master Deputy Bradley Link Aug. 2 from a home outside of Eustis. He was escorted to Lake County by multiple law enforcement agencies across Central Florida under a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds.
Gargano was shot multiple times, as he and a team entered the home of Michael, Julie, Cheyenne and Savannah Sulpizio, to rescue Link after he was shot multiple times and trapped in the home. Link succumbed to his injuries.
K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell was also shot; he was released from the hospital Aug. 6 and has been recovering at his home.
Michael, Cheyenne and Savannah Sulpizio all died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Julie Sulpizio, who set the tragic night in motion by starting an altercation with her neighbors, was Baker Acted from the scene before the shootings occurred. She was later indicted on charges of principal to premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of principal to attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit murder, battery on law enforcement officer and three counts of battery.
EUSTIS, Fla.—Two accused burglars are behind bars after a tip from a Mount Dora homeless camp led a Eustis Police Department detective straight to one of the suspects.
On Sunday, EPD road patrol officers responded to Ace Hardware, 18691 U.S. Highway 441 on a report of a burglary. Officers found muddy tire tracks that appeared to be from a lawnmower, a broken fence, a blue mask and a camera sprayed with a white substance, likely paint, according to an arrest affidavit.
Video footage showed a man, later identified as Roy “Saint” Perrott, 23, wearing a black t-shirt with “original recipe” emblazoned on the front and a KFC chicken bucket on the back, and riding a lawnmower towing a trailer. He was coming west from U.S. Highway 441 and entered Ace Hardware through Gables Drive just before 7:30 a.m. The business is closed on Sundays.
Perrott was captured on video bringing the trailer, now detached from the lawnmower, through the broken fence. He apparently took a break to urinate, according to the affidavit, and then removed a blue mask and a can of spray paint from a black bag. He sprayed the camera with the paint and then looked back at that camera before entering the business. He walked around and grabbed several items, including a generator and two garden hoses, the affidavit states.
The second suspect, later identified as Joshua Reffitt, 41, was also captured on video coming through the break in the fence. Reffitt’s large tattoo on his right shoulder and arm can be seen in the video while he helped Perrott load two pressure washers onto the trailer. Perrott then secured a box of assorted items and garden hose onto the trailer and is seen driving the mower and trailer away, southbound on U.S. Highway 441.
On Monday afternoon, the owner of Ace Hardware called an EPD detective and informed him about a homeless camp located near U.S. Highway 441 and Wolf Branch Road. The owner told the detective he wanted to check the area to see if he could locate any of the items stolen from his store. The EPD detective, a road patrol officer, Chief Craig Capri and the store owner traveled to the area of the homeless camp and came across a man the detective knew from prior involvements, according to the affidavit.
The man told police he did not know anything about the theft from Ace Hardware, but said he knew Reffitt and, “Joshua (Reffitt) usually is everywhere taking everything,” the affidavit states. He told police Reffitt lived in the backyard of a home on Cherry Lane in Mount Dora and drives a black Dodge Ram he uses to steal things. The man said Reffitt has a “ton of stolen items.”
The detective then went to the home on Cherry Lane and spoke to Reffitt. Reffitt told him he had spoken with Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives about a man he knew as “Saint” (Perrott) who had been committing burglaries and bringing the stolen items on the property where Reffitt is living. He said “Saint” had a bicycle trailer and he would use it to transport the stolen items to the property. He said “Saint” had recently stolen a water pump and golf cart from a nearby flea market and had recently been riding a lawnmower, but he had no idea where it came from. The detective gave Reffitt his number and asked him to contact him if he learned of “Saint’s” whereabouts.
Early Wednesday, Reffitt texted the detective and stated “Saint is here sleeping outside, I’m going to try to keep him here. He’s in the carport by camper.”
The detective, along with another detective and a detective-sergeant went to the home on Cherry Lane. They spoke with the homeowner who allowed them to search the yard, and they found “Saint” aka Perrott sleeping—and wearing the exact clothes he was wearing in the video from Ace Hardware, including the KFC original recipe shirt.
The detective woke him up and introduced himself and Perrott asked what was going on. The detective explained he was a person of interest in the Ace Hardware burglary. Perrott agreed to speak with him and said he did not know anything about the burglary, but then said, “Everything is still here. I’m willing to give you everything.”
Perrott then admitted to the burglary and said he did it because he needed money and was planning on selling the stolen items. Perrott was asked if Reffitt was his accomplice, and Perrott nodded his head yes.
Detectives then went to a trailer on the property and spoke with Reffitt. He was detained and told he was a suspect in the Ace Hardware burglary. He admitted to being there but said he did not take part in the thefts. Reffitt said he told Perrott he was doing the wrong thing, and he (Reffitt) was only dumpster diving. Although Reffitt could be seen on camera committing thefts, with his large tattoo showing, he still denied taking part in the thefts. The owner of Ace Hardware responded to the scene and recovered all of his stolen items.
While Reffitt was being placed in the back of a Lake County Sheriff’s Office patrol car he started having a medical issue. He was placed on the ground and when a deputy got close to his left shorts pocket, he tensed up. His pocket was searched, and two bags of methamphetamine were found. He was transported to AdventHealth Waterman, medically cleared and then transported to the Lake County Jail. Perrott was transported to Eustis Police Department for paperwork and then transported to LCJ.
Reffitt is facing charges of burglary, grand theft, criminal mischief and possession of methamphetamine; he is being held on $10,500 bond. Perrott is facing two counts of burglary, two counts of grand theft and two counts of criminal mischief; he is being held on $16,000 bond.
Evidence believed to be related to a theft in the city limits of Mount Dora and several thefts in LCSO’s jurisdiction was also found and more charges may be forthcoming.
EUSTIS, Fla.—A Jacksonville man wanted by Eustis Police Department for sexually battering a woman he met on a dating app turned himself in to EPD Tuesday.
On Aug. 16, a woman reported she had been “raped” by a man named Jeffrey James of Jacksonville. EPD responded and she told a female officer she met James on the dating app “Hinge,” and they matched about three weeks prior and began messaging and talking on the phone on Aug. 14, according to a probable cause affidavit.
She said James, 36, seemed “nice” and “easygoing” and “not the aggressive type.” They agreed to meet up and go to Wekiva Springs. James drove to Lake County from Jacksonville but the victim told police she slept in and when she got up that afternoon, she had text messages from James. They began texting back and forth and agreed to meet up and she gave him her address just after 5 p.m.
He arrived at the victim’s home about an hour later and they attempted to go to a restaurant in Mount Dora, but the wait was too long so they went to another nearby restaurant, where he paid for both meals using a credit or debit card, she told police. After they finished eating, they went back to her house in Eustis, and she was hesitant to let him inside because her house was in “disarray,” she said. James “insisted” on coming in and said he drove down from Jacksonville to help her pack.
They went in the home and walked back to a bedroom that needed to be packed. The victim was sitting on the bed when James suddenly grabbed her left leg and pulled it towards him. She made a joke and said, “Are you a foot guy?”
James reportedly replied, “Yes, I am,” and grabbed her other leg pulling both her legs towards him. He began to kiss her neck and attempted to kiss her lips, but she pulled away and he pulled her shirt down. She kept telling James, “No, that’s enough, just wait,” and he unbuttoned her pants. She told police she had already told James she did not want to rush into anything, and he was “fully aware of how she felt,” the affidavit states.
The victim tried to push James off of her, but he overpowered her and removed her shorts. He then sexually battered her, according to the affidavit.
After he was finished, the victim begam sobbing and James reportedly said, “You are fine,” and tried to approach her as if he was going to comfort her, she said in a written statement.
She said, “Do not touch me and get out of my house.” James started to leave her home with only his shorts on, carrying his other clothing, and she stopped him at the front door and said she was calling the police. He pushed her out of the way and drove away in his GMC Canyon.
Ring camera footage later showed the pair struggling at the door and the victim can be heard saying,” I got you on camera, I hope you know there’s a camera. There’s a camera, There’s a camera right here. There’s a camera right here.”
After James fled the home, the victim called the National Sexual Assault Hotline, and the operator told her to call 911.
On Aug. 22, EPD released a “Need to Locate” flyer with a photo of James and his truck, and he turned himself in on Tuesday. He is facing charges of sexual battery and false imprisonment and was released from the Lake County Jail on $100,000 bond.
EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is searching for a man wanted in connection with a sexual battery.
Jeffrey James, 36, is a white male, 6 feet, 1 inch tall, and may be driving a 2021 grey GMC Canyon, license plate PDUA71. James is believed to be in the Jacksonville area, EPD said.
Jeffrey James may be driving a 2021 GMC Canyon.
If you have information on James’ whereabouts, call Det. W. Perry at 352-483-5400.
