A 23-year-old man now facing a sexual battery charge in Polk County was later arrested the same night after allegedly leading Florida Highway Patrol troopers on a dangerous pursuit through portions of northeast Polk County.
Investigators with the Lake Wales Police Department arrested Cory Tomaine Bowland Jr. on May 13, 2026, following an investigation into an alleged sexual battery that reportedly occurred on March 30 in a developing area off Hunt Brothers Road near Lake Wales.
According to the arrest affidavit, the victim told detectives she traveled from Georgia to Polk County with Bowland after meeting him through a dating application. Investigators say the two eventually arrived at a residence on Kimbrough Drive, identified in court records as Bowland’s mother’s home. The victim told detectives that after spending time there, she was taken to a remote area within a developing subdivision off Hunt Brothers Road, south of State Road 60 near Lake Wales. The victim reported fearing for her life during the encounter and alleged that Bowland was armed with a rifle during the incident.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case, Daily Ridge is withholding graphic details contained in investigative documents.
Court records indicate the alleged sexual battery occurred earlier on March 30, 2026. Later that same day, Bowland was accused of fleeing from Florida Highway Patrol troopers during a pursuit that ended near Dundee.
At the time troopers attempted to stop the vehicle they were not yet aware of the sexual battery allegations that would later surface through the Lake Wales Police Department investigation.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol arrest report, troopers attempted to stop Bowland for speeding on US 27 near Haines City at approximately 10:29 p.m. on March 30.
According to reports Bowland initially stopped and pulled over. The trooper exited his vehicle and when he got to the driver’s side door the vehicle took off (the stop was recorded by FHP dashcam video). Investigators allege Bowland accelerated away, reaching speeds well over 100 mph while weaving through traffic and driving into oncoming lanes during portions of the pursuit.
The fleeing vehicle ran the red traffic signal at the intersection of West Frederick Avenue and Center Street and collided with a marked Polk County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. The suspect vehicle then struck a fence located on the northeast corner of the intersection.
A passenger in the vehicle reportedly fled on foot toward the Dundee Elementary School area before being taken into custody.
During a search of the vehicle, investigators reported locating a rifle, ammunition, and more than 250 grams of cannabis. In the sexual battery investigation (earlier that day) the victim alleged the suspect had a rifle during the sexual assault. The suspect also was a convicted felon in possession of all these items.
Detectives with Lake Wales Police later recovered evidence from the area identified by the victim and submitted items to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for forensic testing. The victim also reportedly identified Bowland during a photo lineup.
The State Attorney’s Office has since filed a motion for pretrial detention, requesting that Bowland remain in custody while the case proceeds through the court system. Prosecutors noted in the filing that Bowland was already on pretrial release supervision stemming from the fleeing and eluding case at the time he was arrested in the sexual battery investigation.
Court filings also state Bowland previously served a prison sentence connected to accessory after the fact to homicide and obstructing a criminal investigation charges before his release from the Florida Department of Corrections in December 2024.
Bowland remains in custody.
