Man Arrested on Accusations of Sexual Assault, Attempted Murder in Orange County

A 54-year-old man named Bruce Whitehead was arrested after allegedly raping and mutilating a woman on Saturday, December 10, based on a Twitter post released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on December 16, 2022. 

The victim reportedly met Whitehead earlier that morning at a business near a mall and willingly went with him at first. Whitehead stopped at a convenience store and got her some water before driving away and stopping to walk around. He then allegedly held a knife to the victim’s throat and sexually attacked her, according on a report by WKMG-TV on December 15, 2022.

Cpl. Evan Avila of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office sex crimes unit referred to the suspect, Whitehead, as a “monster” during a press conference. Avila also stated that the sheriff’s office believes Whitehead to be a danger to the community and has reached out to the citizens of Central Florida in an effort to locate him and prevent him from potentially harming anyone else.

The victim was found to be “scared and shocked” and believed that Whitehead was going to kill her, as added by WKMG-TV.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants for Whitehead, charging him with armed kidnapping, armed sexual battery, and attempted murder. Whitehead was found on December 15 and taken into custody near Landstar Boulevard and Weatherbee Road.

Whitehead has a previous conviction for kidnapping, armed sexual battery, and first-degree attempted murder from 1986 and was in prison for 20 years.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference to discuss the case and urge the public to come forward with any information about Whitehead or the attack. The identity of the victim has not been made public, and the authorities are still investigating the case.