Man Raped At Knifepoint By Person Met On Dating Website: Police

HAINES CITY — A 37-year-old Winter Haven man faces armed sexual battery charges for raping a man at knifepoint in a Haines City motel room, according to a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release.

Thomas Lee Simmons met a man on a dating website and the two arranged to meet Tuesday at Stay Plus Inn, 33224 U.S. Highway 27, investigators said.

According to the affidavit, the victim told detectives, "The suspect came into the room, he pulled out a fixed blade knife with a brown handle from a sheath attached to his belt and told the victim to strip naked and lay on the bed. The suspect told the victim that he was with the narcotics unit, and he had other officers outside the room. During the encounter the suspect also pretended to talk on a radio to other individuals."

Deputies said Simmons then took off his clothes and sexually battered the victim. After the assault, the suspect told the victim that he had “agents” going to the victim’s sister’s house, and they were going to “get her as well.”

The suspect took the victim's driver's license, passport, an iPhone, an Apple Watch, Airpods and three pairs of Air Jordan tennis shoes.

Officers arrested Simmons on multiple charges at his girlfriend's home in Winter Haven on Tuesday. Detectives found the victim’s stolen items, as well as a knife matching the description given by the victim on the front seat of Simmons's truck.

During an interview, Simmons originally gave detectives a false name, law enforcement officials said. He eventually gave deputies his real name.

According to detectives, Simmons admitted to meeting someone for sex earlier at the Stay Plus Inn in Haines City. He also admitted to taking the victim's belongings without permission.

"This was the act of a violent criminal with a criminal history, and the outcome could have been much worse," Sheriff Grady Judd. "I encourage anyone using online dating services to be cautious. Meet with strangers in a public place, like a restaurant, and never give out your personal information like your home address until you at least get to know that person better. Another safeguard is to tell a trusted loved one where you are going, and set up a time to check in with that person, just in case."

Simmons faces the following charges, according to the sheriff's office:

• Armed sexual battery
• Grand theft
• Dealing in stolen property
• False information to a law enforcement officer
• Orange warrant for failure to appear