[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 10/15/19]
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UMATILLA, Florida – A Eustis man was picked up in Umatilla on a warrant early Monday morning for battering his 16-year-old, live-in girlfriend. On Oct. 8, the girlfriend and her mother reported Maxx Rebba Riggio, 27, – who has been booked into the Lake County Jail 11 times since 2001 – had thrown her on the floor the day before, causing a plate to break and cut her foot. He allegedly began punching her hip and slapping her in the face. He then got a gun and threatened to kill her and her cat, according to the probable cause affidavit. On Oct. 8, Riggio threw her off the bed and broke a mirror and struck her head against the broken pieces on the floor. He also shoved her head against a car window, the affidavit states. The victim told Riggio she called law enforcement and Riggio reportedly told her he had bail money and he would be “seeing” her. The responding deputy noted the victim has numerous small cuts, dried blood on her foot and ears and a scratch on her hand. She was cleared by Lake EMS on the scene.
Deputies attempted to apprehend Riggio twice that day, but were unable to locate him. Around 9:30 p.m. Oct. 8, the victim texted a deputy and stated, “Help don’t call me.” The deputy texted back and asked if Riggio was there and the juvenile victim confirmed and then stopped answering the deputy, the probable cause affidavit states.
Deputies pinged the victim’s phone and found it was in the area of CR 450 and SR 19 in Umatilla and received information the victim was at Eustis Police Department. She told a deputy she was at Melissa Bartholomew’s house speaking with her and Emily Sanders when Riggio came out and shoved her to the ground several times and took her keys and IPhone 8 Plus. She tried to run and a third individual punched the victim in the eye, the affidavit states. Riggio threatened to kill her if she didn’t drop the charges. She fled to her car and got in the passenger side and Riggio punched her and slammed her head into the console, according to the affidavit. Riggio then child-locked the doors and drove her to Eustis Police Department stating several times on the ride he would kill her if she didn’t drop the charges. Riggio fled when they arrived. The deputy noted fresh injuries on the juvenile victim.
Deputies were unable to locate Riggio that day and he was picked up on the warrant in Umatilla Monday. Additional charges were added Monday, including trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft auto and kidnapping. He is being held at the Lake County Jail on no bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, 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]
