On Friday, June 24th, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference about the recent attack on a Brooksville woman and the apprehension of her alleged attacker.
According to Major Jim Powers, of the Law Enforcement Operations Bureau, “there was a violent and brutal attack on one of our citizens.” On June 22nd, The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a call regarding a female in distress in the area of Brook Drive in Brooksville. Deputies arrived to find the victim in her home with injuries to her face, and observed that her clothing had been ripped and torn. The HCSO secured the scene and the victim was transported to Bayfront Health Brooksville Hospital for her injuries.
During the investigation, detectives were told that the victim was speaking to a neighbor on the telephone. Shortly after the phone conversation, the victim went to the neighbor’s home, and saw a man identified as Lee Roy Rettley looking at the air conditioning vents. According to reports, Rettley was known to this neighbor and was assisting with the repair of the vents. He was also casually acquainted with the victim.
A short time later, the victim returned to her home, where she found Rettley in her living room. Rettley attacked her when she was retrieving her phone to call 911. Rettley grabbed the victim in a choke-hold as they fought throughout the residence to the bedroom. During the struggle the victim was able to fight back and strike Rettley in the head with a heavy box. It was at this point she blacked out due to the pressure of the choke-hold on her neck. The victim reported that during the attack, Rettley told her, “I am going to kill you because you are going to call the cops when I leave.”
Rettley then attempted to sexually assault the victim at this point, but was unsuccessful due to the victim aggressively fighting back, and yelling for help. Neighbors heard her cries for help, and responded, entering the victim’s home to find Rettley exiting through the bedroom window.
On the scene, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter, and a lengthy search for the suspect ensued. From the air, Deputy Kyle Nugent tracked Rettley to a storm drain near the Hernando High School football stadium, where he was apprehended by K9 Officer Diesel and Handler Deputy Jernigan.
Detective Brian Stephens reported that after being read his Miranda rights, Rettley stated, “I snapped.” He then made admissions that were similar to the victim’s account of the events.
Detective Stephens reported that Rettley was recently released from prison this past February. According to records, Rettley was first arrested in 1987 for sexual battery in Palm Beach and Duval counties. He was released from prison in 2008, and re-entered the prison system after failing to register as a sexual predator.
Major Powers said, “Even though this is an isolated incident, I want to remind our citizens to be alert and vigilant and periodically checking [sic] the website of sex offenders and predators in their area. It is imperative that our citizens be aware of their surroundings report any suspicious activities immediately to the our local authorities.”