Windermere man at center of alleged rapes investigation left country, sources say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Windermere man at the center of a series of alleged rapes is no longer in the country, Channel 9 learned Tuesday.

Darryl Patterson is accused of attempted sexual assault on a woman who offered to drive him home from a function they were attending in April.

Police said they believe Patterson tried to sexually assault the woman after giving her shots of Fireball whiskey that might have been laced with a drug. The woman told authorities she became nauseated and semiconscious.

Sources have told Channel 9's Shannon Butler that Patterson is in Canada. It's not known whether he is there visiting family or if he has fled.

Photos: Windermere police search rape suspect's house

Neighbors said they saw Patterson at his home sometime last week, but haven't seen him since.

"I was out here in front and he pulled up. He was walking toward the garage and kept going. I'm quite sure it was him," a neighbor said.

Police would not talk to Butler about Patterson leaving the country, saying only that they are continuing to investigate.

Investigators said the alleged attempted assault happened weeks after Patterson was questioned about three other sexual assaults, which were recorded, and show two women unconscious and a third semiconscious.

Police served a search warrant at Patterson's home earlier this month.

In a text message to WFTV, Patterson wrote, "If you knew everything you would understand. This is unbelievable." Patterson went on to say, "I wish I could tell you. You would be in awe."

He has not returned messages from Butler Tuesday.

Patterson has not been charged in any of the reported incidents because the investigation is ongoing.

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