Dustin Lee Bragg

Calhoun County investigators say a man and woman have been charged with sexual torture after a pole and garden hose were inserted into a man's rectum.

Chief Deputy Matthew Wade said Dustin Lee Bragg, 34, and Barbie Gordon Vaughn, 49, both of Ohatchee, are being held in connection with an incident that happened on Sept. 3.

Wade said authorities received a report of a man in a local hospital with severe injuries to his rectum and colon.

Barbie Vaughn

Investigators believe the man was drinking alcohol with Bragg and Vaughn on the front porch of their shared residence.

The victim, a 39-year-old homeless man, was renting a room from Bragg and Vaughn, Wade said. The victim's wife was not at home at the time. The couple had only been at the home for about four days.

Wade said the victim fell from the porch, on top of a bird feeder and into dog feces. The man then took his clothes off to remove the feces.

At that time, Bragg inserted the metal bird feeder pole and a garden water hose into the victim's rectum, causing severe internal injuries, Wade said. Vaughn apparently watched this as it happened.

The victim waited six days before seeking medical treatment.

Investigators say the two gave corroborating details. Then following a search warrant at the residence authorities found a burn pile with a burned mattress and other items, which appear to have been burned to "conceal evidence," Wade said.

The victim is in critical condition, Wade said. Bragg is a registered sex offender in Calhoun County following a 2004 guilty plea to rape and sexual abuse involving a 10-year-old female victim, according to the Calhoun County Sheriff's website.