The Dalton Police Department arrested Floyd Earnest Youngblood, 45, of 3762 Chattanooga Road, Tunnel Hill, on Tuesday on charges of rape, sodomy, and making false statements to law enforcement officers in connection with a rape that occurred in December 2011 after DNA testing connected him to the case.
The incident happened on Dec. 16, 2011, shortly after 6:30 pm. Investigators say that Youngblood met the victim, a homeless woman, near Providence Ministries where she had been camping. The victim told investigators that Youngblood offered to let her stay at his apartment for the night so she could be warm and dry. When she agreed, Youngblood walked with the victim to a storage building behind Bryman’s Plaza near downtown Dalton. The victim told investigators that Youngblood pushed her into the building and told her that she was going to have sex with him. She said that she did not want to, and when Youngblood forced himself on her she tried to get out a cell phone to call 911. The victim told investigators that Youngblood took her phone and then forced her to have sex with him. Afterwards, he left with her phone.
Based on the description given by the victim and other witnesses who had confirmed Youngblood had been at Providence Ministries, DPD officers went to Youngblood’s apartment and brought him in for an interview. During the interview, Youngblood agreed to give a sample of his DNA. Investigators also determined that he had the victim’s cell phone in his possession.
DNA testing was completed in September, and investigators obtained a warrant for Youngblood’s arrest, which was served on Tuesday.