Citrus County suspect accused of sexual torture after 8-year-old girl escapes

INVERNESS -- Disturbing details are emerging about the man who the Citrus County Sheriff's Office says kidnapped an 8-year-old girl.

The girl was able to get away from 20-year-old Jeffery Story's house.

The sheriff's office says if it weren't for the brave young victim coming forward, they may never have known.

The sheriff's office says Story went to a nearby home Wednesday, knocked on an 8-year-old girl's window and pulled her out.

"He grabbed her by her wrists and removed her from her house and took her to his house, where he put her on the couch. Inside of his garage he had set up with a little sitting area," said Captain Brad Smith.

Investigators say Story then duct taped the girl's mouth shut and went inside.

"She found an opportunity to get away and ran through the side garage door to the house while he chased her," said Smith.

Fortunately, the girl made it back home, but deputies say Story threatened her not to tell. She didn't that night, but the next day she told a teacher.

Investigators then learned Story allegedly beat and tortured another woman he knew and had been doing it for years.

"Our detectives immediately noticed she had some very visible ligature marks that were on her hands and feet, also some other signs of abuse," said Smith.

The marks, detectives say, were from hanging the woman from rafters in the garage, beating her and leaving her to hang. The arrest report talks about even more details of sexual torture and regular beatings with pipe and rope.

Story has a 2-year-old son who lived with him. The child is now safe with his mother.

Story was originally being held on $75,000 bond. He is now being held without bond for the additional charges

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Citrus County suspect accused of sexual torture after 8-year-old girl escapes ."