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Rape Case Suspect's House Searched


Published: Apr 22, 2005

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TAMPA - Federal and local authorities spent most of Thursday searching the Seminole Heights home of a man accused of drugging and raping seven men since November 2000.

Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration searched Steven Lorenzo's one-story home at 213 W. Powhatan Ave., looking for evidence in an ongoing investigation, U.S. attorney's office spokesman Steve Cole said.

Lorenzo is being held at Orient Road Jail on federal drug charges and is scheduled to go to trial this summer. He was indicted Nov. 3, accused of drugging gay men he met in bars or online.

According to the federal indictment unsealed in January, six men reported taking drinks from Lorenzo, then waking up hours later, naked and injured. A seventh man was added to the case.

Authorities have said they are investigating whether Lorenzo was involved in the disappearance of Jason Galehouse and the death of Michael Wachholtz, both 26.

Cole declined to elaborate on what detectives were searching for Thursday. He said they were operating under a sealed search warrant.

Agents interviewed neighbors and used dogs to search the house. As night fell, investigators continued to snap pictures and focus their efforts on an unfinished apartment toward the rear of the house.

They concluded their search about 10:15 p.m.

John Ames, who lives across from Lorenzo's home, said he occasionally heard screams coming from the home but never suspected foul play.

He said detectives talked to him Thursday and said they found pictures of men in bondage situations and pictures on a computer of one of the men reported missing or dead.

Ames described Lorenzo as a great neighbor who helped others on the street with their home improvement projects.

Jack Luper, who also lives nearby, said Lorenzo made major repairs to his house and always was personable.

``He was a hell of a neighbor,'' Luper said. ``I hope everything works out for him.''

News Channel 8 reporter Rod Carter contributed to this report. Reporter Anthony McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616.



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