SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Navarre Man Arrested For Armed Sexual Battery And Kidnapping

   On 01/02/07 at 1727 hours, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to the Laredo Tom Thumb on Hwy 87 South in reference to a sexual battery. Upon arrival, Deputies met with the female victim, who had locked herself inside the bathroom until deputies arrived. The victim told deputies that the suspect, Derrick Lofton (21 years old) had asked her to come over to his house located at 2462 Pawnee Drive, Navarre , FL. The victim stated that she was invited over because a vehicle was supposed to be signed over to her by Lofton. While at Lofton's residence, Lofton threw the victim onto his bed, put her in a choke hold, and held a knife to her throat. Lofton then held the victim down on the bed and forcibly raped her. Lofton then put her in another choke hold, which made the victim unable to breathe, and forcibly placed the victim in the trunk of his vehicle and then shut the trunk. The victim stated that she was afraid for her life. Lofton then drove around with the victim in the trunk of his vehicle. After approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, the victim managed to find the trunk release handle and popped the trunk open. The victim then jumped out of the trunk while Lofton's vehicle was still moving. The victim then ran, and found witnesses nearby that took her to the Laredo Tom Thumb to call the police. Sheriff's Office Investigators later located Lofton and arrested him on the below mentioned charges. Lofton is being held in the Santa Rosa County Jail on a $400, 000.00 bond. A photograph of Lofton is attached to this email.

SUSPECT:

Derrick Dwayne Lofton, B/M, 21 years old, 6'00" 180 lbs

2462 Pawnee Drive, Navarre , FL

CHARGES:

Aggravated Assault, 3 rd degree felony

Kidnapping, 3 rd degree felony

Sexual Assault with a Weapon, Life felony         

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net