A man from Providence, Florida was arrested today on suspicion of attempting to commit a sexual assault. Law enforcement officials have reason to believe that Dorlee Holmes, 30, attacked an elderly lady, trying to sexually assault her. The victim is 73 years old.
The Union County Sheriff's Office arrested Holmes due to their belief that he was responsible for the June 9 crime. Authorities say that Holmes came up behind the victim as she walked along Southwest County Road 245. He allegedly pushed her onto the ground. The female victim fought back, eventually managing to get her attacker off of her. The attacker ran away after apologizing to the woman. He then escaped in his vehicle.
A police artist rendered a sketch of the suspect after speaking with the elderly victim. The sketch was later used to identify Holmes. Now, law enforcement officials are investigating the possibility that Holmes was behind a markedly similar attack that occurred just over a year ago in Gainesville, in which a woman was out for a run in Haile Plantation. Like the attack earlier this month, the man drove up, left his vehicle, and attacked her from behind. He shoved the woman to the ground and exposed himself. She fought the man and eventually escaped after a violent fight. She was able to get away and contact police from a home near where she was attacked. It is too early to know for sure if the attacks are related, but the first incident has remained unsolved.
Florida law punishes certain crimes against the elderly especially harshly due to the fragile nature of the victims. For example, lewd and lascivious criminal acts committed upon or in the presence of elderly or disabled persons are codified at Florida Statute 825.1025. Lewd and lascivious exhibition in the presence of an elderly person is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.
