A 26-year-old Ocala man who was allegedly in possession of a fake marriage license and adoption papers is being accused of sexually battering a teenage girl and attempting to harbor her from her parents.
On Wednesday, March 27, Randy Joseph Dale was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on charges of sexual battery on a child between 16 and 17 years of age, interfering with child custody, and 11 counts of possession of child pornography.
Three days earlier, on Sunday, March 24, a corporal responded to the 16-year-old victim’s home in reference to “a series of inappropriate messages and images sent to and received from Dale.” These messages included discussions about engaging in sexual activity, according to MCSO.
An investigation was conducted by the sheriff’s office, which revealed that Dale had allegedly sent explicit photos to the victim. In addition, Dale had received images depicting child pornography from the victim.
While at the victim’s home, the corporal was shown messages between Dale and the victim. These messages allegedly indicated that Dale had sexually battered the victim on Monday, March 4, and there were also photos of a “fictitious marriage license and adoption papers.”
On Tuesday, March 26, the victim ran away from home. MCSO stated that the victim was with Dale at that time, and she begged her father not to contact law enforcement. She was later located at the Marion County Fire Rescue station on Highway 326, and she was returned to her home.
The following morning, the victim’s mother discovered that she had once again run away with Dale. An MCSO deputy later located Dale and the victim walking on foot, and they both fled from the deputy.
The sheriff’s office stated that the victim was soon found, and Dale was also taken into custody for an interview. While speaking with investigators, Dale allegedly provided “contradicting statements” about his interactions with the victim.
During the interview, Dale eventually admitted to receiving images depicting child sexual abuse material from the victim. He further admitted to sexually battering the victim and attempting to have her run away with him.
Dale was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, according to jail records.