SWAT Raids Villager’s Home

A 59-year-old resident of The Villages allegedly barricaded himself inside his home Wednesday when Sumter County Sheriff’s officials arrived to arrest him for allegedly assaulting a woman.

The man, apparently off his medication for an old brain injury, is accused of attacking a woman in her late 80s.

The woman apparently showed up for her dialysis treatment on Wednesday with an array of bruises. The doctor’s office notified police.

Deputies showed up to the man’s home around 2 p.m. when shortly after, he apparently barricaded himself inside and refused to exit his residence. He claimed to have a number of firearms in the house and negotiators could not persuade him outside, so SWAT was called to the scene.

The unit threw tear gas into the home and stormed their way inside.

The man was taken into custody around 6:15 p.m. Several fire arms were allegedly recovered.

The man remained in the Sumter County Jail Friday with no bond. He has been charged with aggravated battery of a person older than 65 years of age, false imprisonment and obstruction of justice.

Battery of a person older than 65 is a serious crime to be charged with that if convicted, carries harsh consequences. In fact, Florida legislature mandates that any person convicted of aggravated battery or assault upon a person over the age of 65 must serve a minimum term of three years in prison and pay a fine of up to $10,000. In order to prove the crime of Aggravated Battery, the State must demonstrate that the accused intentionally struck or touched a person against his or her will or deliberately caused great bodily harm. Aggravated Battery can be charged when a person intentionally or knowingly caused great bodily harm, permanent disfigurement or permanent disability and if a deadly weapon was used.

Violent crimes are viewed by police, prosecutors and judges as a very serious offense. If you are accused of committing a violent crime, it is imperative to speak with a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney as soon as possible as a conviction can result in significant fines, years of incarceration, probation and more. The Florida Violent Crimes Attorneys at Whittel & Melton understand that there are many details that surround an aggravated battery case that can be twisted and lead police and prosecutors to make very wrong assumptions regarding guilt. This is why a full investigation needs to be performed in a timely manner to look at the case from every angle. A moment of weakness may have yielded a crime without the intention of anyone getting hurt. At Whittel & Melton, we have the legal resources necessary to providing you or your loved one with a personalized defense against any battery charges.

If you have been accused of committing a violent crime in The Villages or any surrounding communities, contact The Villages Criminal Defense Attorneys at the Law Offices of Whittel & Melton, LLC online or call 352-369-5334.