MARION COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 19-year-old man who allegedly kicked in the door of a home and assaulted a girl on Wednesday.
The Sheriff’s Office reported: On January 5, 2022, at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) received a report of a suspicious incident at a home near Belleview. Deputy Michael Lowder responded to the home and, upon his arrival, he came into contact with the victim and also observed Tylor Moreno running away from the home toward the woods. The victim told Deputy Lowder that Moreno, with whom she was acquainted, forced his way into her home and then into her bedroom where he sexually battered her against her will. The victim also told investigators that during the attack, Moreno took her cellphone away so that she could not call for help.
MCSO Deputies, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit and K-9 unit, conducted a search of the area. Moreno was located by members of the Aviation Unit who relayed his position to deputies on the ground who took Moreno into custody.
Moreno was transported to Central Operations for an interview with Inspector Dice. During the interview, Moreno admitted to going to the victim’s residence and kicking in the doors to gain entry. He admitted to taking the victim’s phone away to prevent her from contacting law enforcement. Moreno also admitted that he committed sexual battery upon the victim against her will.
Moreno was placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he is held without bond. He is charged with: Sexual Battery on a Victim 12 Years of Age or Older but Less than 18 Years of Age, Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling, and Tampering with a Victim.
