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On Tuesday, September 20th, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies responded to a stabbing incident at 1599 Hunt Club St (Heather Glen Apartments). 19 year old Aaron Rodriguez was found to be the victim of a stabbing. Rodriguez advised that Lequalisha Markee Lewis was the suspect. Rodriguez claimed Lewis followed him to the above location and stabbed him during an altercation over a $180 drug debt. The victim had knife wounds to his arm and abdomen. Furthermore, he displayed a red scratch along his throat. The wounds were consistent with the victim’s testimony regarding the altercation.
Over the next 48 hours, an OCSO Investigator followed up on leads and attempted to locate Lewis for an interview. Lewis could not be located so based on the physical evidence and the victim’s affidavit a warrant was drafted and later issued for Lewis’ arrest.
Lewis was located on Thursday, Sept 22 and consented to an interview. Lewis corroborated the fact he dealt cocaine to the victim, but denied stabbing the victim. His alibi could not be independently verified. He was arrested on the warrant and transported to the Okaloosa County Jail.
On Sunday, September 25th, patrol responded to 1599 Hunt Club Street again regarding another stabbing where Aaron Rodriguez was the victim. During the investigation, Rodriguez’ girlfriend alleged that he stabbed himself following an argument between the two. She further stated that they had argued and she had thrown him out the day of the first stabbing incident. Investigator Dan Genrich was briefed and responded to the scene. He concurred with the facts gathered by patrol and relocated to the hospital to speak with Rodriguez.
After initial denials, Rodriguez finally admitted to the OCSO Investigator that he had fabricated the original stabbing incident and that he had injured himself intentionally following the breakup with his girlfriend. He further stated that he was tired of doing drugs and implicated Lewis to get him arrested so that Lewis would stop pressuring him to buy drugs.
After learning this, Investigators contacted the State Attorney’s Office and arranged for the release of Lewis from the county jail. The order was approved. Investigator Dan Genrich responded to the jail and picked up Lewis and drove him to his residence on Shirley Drive. Lewis was advised of the circumstances surrounding the false affidavit from Rodriguez. He was released without further incident. The state advised they will work on dismissing charges this week.
Rodriguez has been Baker Acted and is currently at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. He faces charges in connection with filing a false report.
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