FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED FOR HEINOUS CRIMES AFTER ALLEGEDLY KIDNAPPING AND ASSAULTING WOMAN IN STORAGE CONTAINER

A Florida man, **David Earl Gipson**, 40, has been apprehended in a wooded area in Washington County following a harrowing incident where a woman he allegedly assaulted and held captive escaped from a storage container. **David Earl Gipson** faces charges of sexual battery, aggravated battery, and false imprisonment, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).

The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, suffered severe injuries and required immediate medical attention upon rescue. Law enforcement stated that the victim reported **David Earl Gipson** visited her residence, quickly became violent, and launched a brutal attack. **David Earl Gipson** allegedly bound and gagged her while threatening her life and subjecting her to repeated assaults. He is also accused of sexually assaulting the victim and beating her with a handgun and a blunt object before forcibly removing her from the residence.

The suspect reportedly used a vehicle belonging to the victim’s mother-in-law to transport her to another location, where the abuse continued. Shockingly, **David Earl Gipson** allegedly confined the woman in a storage container on his property. Washington County Sheriff **Kevin Crews** described the victim’s condition as dire, stating she was found naked, handcuffed, and bound with duct tape around her mouth. “He placed a rope around her neck and tied her in a hog-tie position,” **Kevin Crews** explained. The woman feared she would suffocate and succumb to her injuries if she failed to escape.

Despite the ordeal, the victim managed to free herself by breaking through the container and fleeing to seek help. She eventually encountered a passerby, who immediately contacted authorities. In a tragic twist, the victim’s 74-year-old mother-in-law, **Lettie Cooper Collins**, was found dead in her home, having suffered fatal injuries. Authorities believe **David Earl Gipson** is connected to her death.

The WCSO revealed that **David Earl Gipson** has an extensive criminal history, with 33 felony charges dating back to 1999 and multiple prison sentences. He has been charged with armed burglary, arson, and other crimes in connection with this case. **Kevin Crews** expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and commended the community and law enforcement agencies for their collaboration in apprehending the suspect. He emphasized the importance of public vigilance and support in resolving such cases.

Investigations remain ongoing, and authorities are pursuing additional charges against **David Earl Gipson**, including murder, in connection **Lettie Cooper Collins’ death**.

Source: Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and local law enforcement reports.