[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 06/03/20]
GROVELAND, Florida — A Groveland man upset at a teenage boy for allegedly threatening his daughter is accused of confronting the boy and choking him at a neighborhood park.
Groveland Police responded to Sparrow Hawk Drive shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday and met with a 14-year-old boy who told police he had been arguing with a female peer on the phone about rumors online. He said he was at a nearby park with friends when a man, later identified as Carlos Alberto Aguiluz, 36, approached him, pointing his finger and yelling, according to an arrest affidavit. The boy said Aguiluz then grabbed his throat with both hands and squeezed. Aguiluz stopped after a few seconds and left the park; the teenager told police he was afraid he was going to die.
Numerous witnesses told police they saw the incident and provided sworn, written statements, according to the affidavit. Police went to Aguiluz’ home and he said his daughter told him the boy was threatening her and told her he was going to leave the park and come to her home. Aguiluz then went to the park and confronted the boy and pushed him, but did not strangle him, he told police.
Due to red marks on the boy’s neck indicating he had been strangled, Aguiluz was taken into custody and charged with child abuse and felony battery by strangulation. He was released from the Lake County Jail on $4,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
