Transient Suspected of Sexual Assault Located and Arrested

January
18, 2019

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced today the arrest of a transient man for a Sexual Assault on Panama City Beach.

On December 21, 2018, deputies responded to a residence on Panama City Beach in reference to a sexual assault. The victim stated she was sleeping in the living room when a man came up behind her, grabbed her, and sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to get a quick look at her assailant and gave law enforcement a brief description of an older white male about 5’8”, a medium build, with a white goatee. She said he wore a dark colored hoodie and shorts.

Deputies
went to a nearby apartment building and spoke to the residents of each
apartment. A homeless man living under a bridge in the area was interviewed and
he had an alibi that deputies were able to verify.

The
BCSO Crime Scene unit responded and forensically processed the scene of the
assault. Some of the evidence gathered led investigators to identify the
suspect as Thomas Earl Wood, age 56, a transient. Further investigation revealed that Wood had
been with the homeless man living under a bridge near the scene of the assault.
The homeless man gave a statement that Wood had been with him the day the crime
occurred but had gone off on his own that evening.

Thomas
Earl Wood was located yesterday and arrested by the BCSO. He admitted to the
assault. He was charged with Sexual Battery and Burglary with Assault or
Battery. Wood also had outstanding warrants for Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft
five to ten thousand dollars, and Fraudulent Use of a Personal ID. He was taken
and booked into the Bay County Jail.

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Prepared
by R. Corley

Information
by Capt. J. Daffin

Approved
by Sheriff T. Ford