A 68-year-old Ocala man blamed an 8-year-old’s provocative dress in his arrest in a sexual battery case.
Sydney “Dread” Allan Markland was taken into custody on Friday by Marion County sheriff’s deputies.
In July 2016, Markland allegedly lured the 8-year old girl into his house and sexually battered her. The girl lived in Markland’s neighborhood and she only knew him in passing. Detectives believe that Markland may have done this to other children, due to him admitting to being familiar with children in the neighborhood.
The victim said she was walking to a friend’s house down the block when Markland approached her and asked if she could help him carry his fried chicken inside his house, located at 18 Bahia Loop in Ocala. Markland appeared injured, so she helped him. When she was in his house, Markland sexually battered her and told her not to tell anyone. Detectives obtained DNA samples from the victim’s clothing, and after several months, results from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab concluded that the samples positively matched Markland’s DNA profile. During a post-Miranda interview, Markland told detectives that the juvenile came into his house wearing provocative clothing and said her “actions” suggested that she was consenting to sexual contact. Markland indicated to detectives that his culture is different and said his actions were acceptable.
Markland has been charged with sexual assault on a victim under 12, lewd and lascivious behavior, molesting a victim less than 12 and crimes against a person- lure and entice child under 12. He is being held in the Marion County Jail on no bond on all three charges.
If you are a victim of Markland or know of someone who might have been a victim, please call Detective Daniel Pinder at 352-368-3508 or to remain anonymous, contact the Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP.