A 66-year-old Ocklawaha man is behind bars after he was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting his female roommate.
On Thursday, February 8, the female victim met with Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies and advised that the incident with her roommate, Terry Lee Rush, had occurred on Wednesday evening into Thursday, according to the arrest report.
The victim advised that she has lived with Rush for around a month. She told investigators that she was not in an intimate relationship with Rush, and she added that they were only living together as roommates.
According to the victim’s statement, Rush had offered her several alcoholic beverages the night before, and the second one tasted “slightly different.” She stated that she began feeling unwell shortly after drinking it.
The victim claimed that Rush attempted to give her a hug while stating, “Do I have to wait for you to pass out for me to have sex?” She stated that she told Rush not to touch her, and she went into her bedroom to sleep, according to the report.
A corporal noted in the report that when the victim woke up in her bedroom, she allegedly discovered that her clothing was around her ankles, and the hooks for the corset she was wearing were “not in the correct loops.” She advised that her entire body was sore, and she was “covered in feces.”
The report stated that a medical examination of the victim revealed that she had nail marks, bruising, and abrasions on her body. An “unknown fluid” was also found on the back of her leg.
After obtaining a search warrant for the residence where the alleged incident occurred, an MCSO corporal made contact with Rush and detained him. During a post-Miranda interview, Rush claimed that the victim was “acting strange” the night before, according to the report.
Rush denied having any sexual contact with the victim. The report stated that he admitted to making romantic advances towards the victim in the past, though he claimed that it was “verbal in nature.” He also admitted that he had consumed alcohol with the victim the previous evening.
Rush was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with sexual assault and battery.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12, according to jail records.