Brade
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida man, identified as DAVID EARL GIPSON, 40, was apprehended in a wooded area following a harrowing ordeal in which a woman he allegedly assaulted and held captive managed to escape. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Gipson’s arrest on charges of sexual battery, aggravated battery, and false imprisonment.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was severely beaten and required immediate medical attention after escaping her captor. According to deputies, Gipson allegedly visited the victim’s residence, where he became enraged and began attacking her. The victim reported that he bound her, gagged her, assaulted her with a handgun and a blunt object, and threatened to kill her.
Sheriff KEVIN CREWS detailed the incident during a news conference, stating, “She was naked, still handcuffed, and had duct tape around her mouth. He put a rope over her neck and tucked her legs up underneath her. If you can picture what a hog tie looks like, that’s what he did to her. She stated she got very hot and thought she was going to suffocate and die.”
Gipson allegedly transported the victim using her mother-in-law’s vehicle to his residence, where the abuse continued. He then placed her in a storage container in the yard. The victim managed to free herself by kicking open the plywood container. “She got out of the shed and then ran for her life,” Sheriff Crews said. “At one point, she used a tree to remove the duct tape from around her mouth. She made her way to the edge of a roadway where a passerby saw her, stopped, picked her up, and immediately called 911.”
In a tragic twist, another victim, 74-year-old LETTIE COOPER COLLINS, the mother-in-law of the initial victim, was found dead in her home, beaten to death. The sheriff’s office is seeking murder charges against Gipson in connection with Collins’ death.
Gipson has a lengthy criminal history, with approximately 33 felony charges dating back to 1999 and eight prior prison stints. His prior offenses include multiple counts of burglary – including armed burglary – and arson.
Sheriff Crews expressed his condolences to the victim’s family, stating, “We apologize for the horrific event that has happened to this family.” He also thanked multiple agencies for their assistance in apprehending Gipson, emphasizing that photos were crucial in the investigation.
The case remains active as authorities continue their investigation.
**Sources:**
[Washington County Sheriff’s Office](https://www.wcso.us)
[Local News Report](https://www.localnews.com)
