Florida man accused of drugging, sexually assaulting woman after offering ride: Sheriff's Office

MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WITI) -- A Florida man was arrested after forcing an unknown substance into a victim before sexually battering her, burning her hair, punching her several times, dragging her into a vehicle and abandoning her in a parking lot, according to deputies.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said on Jan. 10, Orlando Police responded to Waterford Lakes Emergency Department and made contact with a victim who reported that a man known as “Zak” -- later identified as 28-year-old Efthimios Michael Zachary Mikedis of Ocklawaha -- offered to give her a ride from Orange County to her aunt's home in Marion County five days prior.

Mikedis reportedly arrived at her home that day in a van driven by his mother. A second male was also in the vehicle. The victim said she observed what looked like a gun in Mikedis's waistband. Deputies said the victim told Mikedis that she did not want to go, but he told her that she had to. Once inside the vehicle, he reportedly forced an unknown substance into her mouth and forced her to slide between the seats.

The vehicle traveled to a residence, where deputies said that the victim was led into a camper on the back of the property. The victim began to black out and recalled being sexually battered by Mikedis and one other person.

Officials said that upon waking up, the victim attempted to call an Uber, but Mikedis then forced another unknown substance into her mouth. He began burning her hair with a cigarette and then dragged the victim across the property. He reportedly punched her in the back of the head, dragged her more and forced her into a vehicle driven by his mother. She was taken to a Winn Dixie parking lot and forced out of the car.

Mikedis was arrested on one count of sexual battery and was being held in the Marion County Jail.