LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a double homicide and sexual battery at a mobile home park near Clermont.
The sheriff’s office received a call just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday in connection to the murder of a woman and teen at 244 Jewelfish Road in the Thousand Trails Resort in Clermont, according to the report.
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Deputies said a woman in the home told them that Justin Lamar Jones, 41, had killed his stepson after striking him with either a hammer or knife and beating him in a travel trailer that morning.
After screaming at Jones to stop, the woman, who has only been identified as a relative of his, said he proceeded to tie her up before dragging her into the bedroom and raping her, an arrest affidavit shows.
She was able to escape in the afternoon and run to a neighbor’s home to call for help, according to the affidavit.
“The female victim of the sexual battery unfortunately heard this and viewed this as it happened and it’s just horrible all the way around,” Lt. John Herrell said. “(She) reported to the sheriff’s office that she had witnessed a homicide take place in the home, and after that, she was tied up by the suspect and sexually battered throughout the day,” Herrell said.
Investigators said they spotted Jones’ SUV in the parking lot of Publix on U.S. Highway 27 and Hartwood Marsh Road. According to deputies, Jones ran but they caught him and took him into custody.
While investigating, detectives said they found a second body in the travel trailer.
Jones later confessed to killing both his wife, later identified as 38-year-old Sandra Gaudino, and his 17-year-old stepson, later identified as Ty Finister, whose identities have not been released, deputies said.
“This is a tragic situation,” Herrell said. “This is one of the worst ones we’ve heard of in a while.”
According to Herrell, the current timeline shows that the suspect and the first victim, who Jones refers to as his wife or significant other, got in an argument that “turned into something violent and that’s when he killed her with what is described as a mini sledgehammer.”
Investigators also said Jones admitted to hitting his stepson with the “mallet” before putting a trash bag over his head.
Deputies have not yet confirmed the relationship between the stepson and the woman.
Jones has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, sexual battery and kidnapping.
This is a developing story. Check back with News 6 for the latest updates.
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