Pinellas Park man arrested in Pinellas County for sexual battery in Homosassa

Citrus County, Florida - On Tuesday, May 25, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office was contacted with the report of a sexual assault that had occurred in the early morning hours that morning at a Homosassa, Florida residence. Deputies responded to speak with the adult victim, who described the details of the assault. Detective Ricci, with the agency's Special Victims Unit, was assigned to further investigate the incident.

The victim told Detective Ricci that he/she knew the suspect, 28-year-old Matthew Daniel Lee Hogue of Pinellas Park, Florida. The victim said he/she had allowed him inside the residence, the previous night, because he had no place to stay. The victim stated that Hogue forced himself into a locked bedroom where the sexual assault took place.

Detective Ricci obtained evidence, including statements from Hogue, that supported the victim's allegations. Based on this information, Detective Ricci was able to obtain an arrest warrant for sexual battery on Hogue. Believing that Hogue would flee to Pinellas County, FL where he lives, Detective Ricci coordinated with deputies of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, who are also members of the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, to assist Pinellas County law enforcement officials in locating and apprehending Hogue.

On May 26, the task force located Hogue in Pinellas County where he was taken into custody for the arrest warrant and brought to the Pinellas County Jail. He was booked ito the Pinellas county Jail at 2:53 pm, with his bond set at $10,000, as per the warrant. According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Hogue bonded out of jail, later that day at 10:27 pm, on a surety bond.

"Sexual offenses are particularly vile and affect not only the victims and their families, but our entire community. Detective Ricci, along with his fellow SVU detectives, are advocates for victims of these heinous crimes, and work swiftly to make sure these violent offenders are arrested and held accountable," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Thanks to our partnership with the United States Marshal's Service, we are able to find and capture fugitives like Hogue, wherever they run."