ORLANDO, Fla. _ A Florida couple described as "doomsday preppers" are facing multiple criminal charges after two women escaped from their residence and notified authorities, according to the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office.
The women got away from the home of Mirko and Regina Ceska on June 28 and told deputies the Ceskas had abused them physically and sexually for years, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post.
"The females described Mr. and Mrs. Ceska as doomsday preppers who had getaway properties located throughout the United States and food rations and weapons stored in the event of a major calamity," the Facebook post said.
The women said they were utilized for farm labor at the residence in the 200 block of Lonnie Raker Lane in Crawfordville and "were not allowed to go anywhere, couldn't have friends, couldn't have cell phones, nor talk to people in public places," the sheriff's office said.
"They stated they were not allowed to agree, talk or shake hands with anyone in public; rather, they were instructed to always look happy. They stated that if they didn't smile, they would get punished."
Punishments included verbal abuse, limiting the amount of food they received and beatings, including one by Mirko Ceska, 58, with a metal rod, deputies said.
Mirko Ceska faces charges of sexual battery, sexual assault, abuse and neglect. Regina Ceska, 55, was arrested and charged with two counts of neglect and two counts of failure to report abuse.
