Suspect arrested after woman reports being raped

Kenneth Eugene Steele, 62, was identified as a suspect and later confessed, according to the charging affidavit.

By Ray Boone
| 12:18 p.m. November 26, 2018

Kenneth Eugene Steele. Photo courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office

Palm Coast Observer
News

Deputies responded to a home in Bunnell on the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 23, after a female victim reported being raped, according to a charging affidavit released by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

Several witnesses reported arriving at the home to find the victim in a bedroom with her pants pulled down. Kenneth Eugene Steele, 62, was the only other occupant of the house and was identified as the suspect. Steele confessed to the crime occurring while the 31-year-old victim was unconscious, according to the affidavit.

Witnesses told law enforcement that Steele was putting his shirt on when the witnesses arrived at the residence.

Steele — who has prior arrests in Flagler County, including battery domestic violence — was arrested and charged with sexual battery on a victim over 18 years old. He was taken to the Flagler County Jail and is being held on a $7,500 bond.

Friday's incident marked the second sexual battery arrest in the county in less than one week.

“Perpetrators must learn that ‘no’ means ‘no!’" Sheriff Rick Staly said in a release. "Our victim advocates are available to the victim to assist her and so is the Family Life Center.”