After his neighbors hailed the authorities purporting that he was using methamphetamine, a Florida man allegedly assaulted the responding deputies and bit a K9 officer on the ear.
Last weekend in High Springs, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office began to receive reports from neighbors of a man who claimed that he was acting as if he had taken methamphetamine.
When deputies arrived at the man’s residence they reportedly discovered him holding a flashlight in his backyard making sounds that were assumed to be bird noises. He was allegedly completely nude other than a layer of mud covering his body, which was purported to have come from the creek where he was standing.
The man, identified as 38-year-old Donald Watts, allegedly bolted from the creek and tried to camouflage himself beneath a motor home.
When Watts emerged, a deputy was waiting for him and the man allegedly began to throw punches at the law enforcement officer. This resulted in the deputy unsuccessfully using his taser on the man, who again reportedly fled on foot.
Backup deputies were sent to assist in detaining Watts, and a K9 was among those who went to the scene.
After a short search, Watts was reportedly found in the forest on all fours and growling like a dog.
The K9 was sent in, and when trying to subdue Watts the man allegedly chomped on the dog’s ear and held him on the ground.
The K9 successfully got himself out of Watts’ hold and bit the man on his head giving the deputies a chance to place him under arrest.
The deputies led Watts back to the police vehicles so he could be seen at the hospital for his head wound, and on the way to the car, the man allegedly spat on one of them.
After his release from the medical facility, Watts was taken to the Columbia County Detention Facility where he is being held on a $37,000.00 bond. He is facing charges for suspicion of simple battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, and aggravated battery on a service dog.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a crime, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.