Florida woman escapes storage container she was being held in after brutal assault: sheriff

A horrifying incident in Washington County, Florida, has left the community in shock as a woman managed to escape from a man who allegedly assaulted and held her captive in a storage container. The suspect, David Earl Gipson, 40, has been arrested on charges of sexual battery, aggravated battery, and false imprisonment by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was found severely beaten and in need of medical attention when authorities arrived at the scene. According to the sheriff’s office, the woman recounted how Gipson had visited her residence, erupted in anger, and launched a vicious attack on her. She claimed that he bound, gagged, and beat her, threatening her life in the process.

The victim also alleged that Gipson sexually assaulted her and inflicted further harm with a handgun and a blunt object before forcibly taking her to his residence in her mother-in-law’s vehicle. There, he continued to abuse her and eventually confined her in a container in the yard, leaving her naked, handcuffed, and duct-taped.

Sheriff Kevin Crews described the victim’s harrowing ordeal during a press conference, detailing how she managed to free herself from the container and escape after fearing for her life. Gipson now faces a string of charges, including sexual battery, aggravated battery, and false imprisonment. Additionally, another woman, Lettie Cooper Collins, the victim’s 74-year-old mother-in-law, was found dead and brutally beaten in her home.

Gipson has a lengthy criminal record dating back to the late ’90s, with approximately 33 felony charges and multiple prison sentences for offenses such as burglary and arson. The sheriff’s office is seeking murder charges against him for Collins’ death, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Sheriff Crews expressed his condolences to the affected family and thanked the various agencies involved in apprehending Gipson. He highlighted the importance of community support and cooperation in such cases, emphasizing the need for justice to prevail. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to ensuring that Gipson is held accountable for his actions and that the victims receive the justice they deserve.