54 F
Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods seeks help in finding man wanted for sexual battery on juvenile victim

(Update: On September 9, 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated on its Facebook webpage that Tyrone Leon Patterson has been arrested.)

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods is asking for the public’s help in locating a 47-year-old man who is wanted for sexual battery on a juvenile victim 12 years of age or older but younger than 18 years old.

Sheriff Woods, in his regular “Wanted by Woods Wednesday” segment on Facebook, asked for assistance in finding Tyrone Leon Patterson.

MCSO Wanted by Woods Wednesday September 7 2022 Tyrone Patterson
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods is asking for the public’s help in finding 47-year-old Tyrone Leon Patterson, who is wanted on a sexual battery charge

According to Sheriff Woods, Patterson is suspected of luring a teenage girl into his home. Once the juvenile victim was inside his residence, he allegedly raped her.

“Tyrone, people who prey upon and traumatize the citizens of Marion County belong in my jail, not roaming free in my county. You need to turn yourself in, Tyrone, because if you don’t, someone else will,” stated Sheriff Woods.

If you have any information on Patterson’s whereabouts, please call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP and reference 22-52 in your tip. If you use Crime Stoppers and your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.