State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden announces that on May 28, 2021, Dean Allen Matthews was convicted by a Santa Rosa County Jury on three (3) counts of Sexual Battery with Force Likely to Cause Serious Personal Injury. Immediately following the trial, Circuit Judge John Simon sentenced Matthews to three (3) life sentences.
In January 2019, Matthews had been hired by the victim to do some repairs around her home. On the night of the attack, Matthews came over to continue repairs, but he and the victim had also planned a social occasion with another friend of hers. When the other friend did not arrive and the victim declined his sexual advances, Matthews became angry and physically attacked and sexually assaulted the victim several times over the course of two to three hours. Ultimately, the victim escaped by running naked from her home to her neighbor’s house. In addition to the sexual assault, the victim suffered a broken hand, soft tissue injuries to her hips, torn meniscus in her knee, severe bruising across her breasts, and numerous other bruises about her body. Matthews ultimately admitted to having sex with the victim, but claimed it was consensual. He was arrested in April of 2019 after reports came back confirming his DNA on swabs from the victim.
The jury made a special finding that Matthews actually caused serious personal injury to the victim; and, consequently, Judge Simon sentenced Matthews as a Dangerous Sexual Felony Offender on two of the counts and imposed a 50 year mandatory minimum sentence.
The arrest and investigation was conducted by Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Amy Shea prosecuted the case. For more information, you may reach Ms. Shea at 850-595-4200.
