A 70-year-old Ocala man with several prior battery convictions was arrested over the weekend after he was accused of hitting his neighbor in the head with a bag of dog poop.
On Sunday, October 20, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to a home located on S Pine Avenue in Ocala in reference to an altercation between two neighbors. Upon arrival, the male victim advised that the incident involving his neighbor, John Sylvester Abrams, occurred at around 11 a.m. that morning, according to the arrest report.
The corporal noted in the report that the incident was captured on video. The report stated that while the victim was checking his mail at a community mailbox located near the front of the neighborhood, Abrams was seen in the video standing near a golf cart “approximately 50 feet away from the victim.”
Abrams was observed on the footage reaching into his cart before walking toward the victim. The corporal noted that Abrams had a “claw hammer” in his left hand and a “bag of dog poop” in his right hand.
The report stated that Abrams stopped approximately two feet from the victim, and an argument ensued. During the verbal altercation, Abrams allegedly swung his right hand at the victim, and the bag of dog poop struck the victim on the left side of his head.
The victim responded by punching Abrams “out of self-defense.” Abrams then allegedly swung the hammer at the victim, though it did not appear to strike him. The altercation soon ended with Abrams and the victim “go(ing) their separate ways.”
While at the incident location, the corporal made contact with Abrams who claimed that the victim “almost struck him with his car.” Abrams further alleged that the victim “had a gun (in) his hand and was threatening him,” according to the report.
Abrams denied striking the victim during the altercation. The report stated that when the corporal mentioned that the incident was captured on video, Abrams continued to deny the allegations.
A criminal history search of Abrams revealed that he has prior battery convictions in 1990 and 2023, both in Broward County.
Abrams was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $5,000 bond. He is being charged with battery (second or subsequent offense).
On Tuesday, November 19, Abrams is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.
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Source: ocala-news
