[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 05/14/20]
MOUNT DORA, Florida — A decision to head-butt a Mount Dora Police Officer landed an Apopka man behind bars Tuesday.
Mount Dora Police responded to 310 South Tremain Street in reference to a battery shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. After finding the alleged battery occurred on the water in Lake County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, an officer helped Ryan P. Burkhart, 32, out of the water and he began cursing, yelling and spitting, according to an arrest affidavit. Burkhart had the odor of alcohol emitting from his breath and red, glossy eyes, the arresting officer noted.
He was detained and placed in a Mount Dora Police patrol vehicle while awaiting LCSO; while in the patrol vehicle, he banged his head against the door and barrier and screamed and cursed while kicking the door. He spit all over the vehicle and urinated, according to the affidavit.
LCSO responded to the scene and determined he could leave; the Mount Dora Police officer wrote Burkhart a “Notice to Appear (NTA)” for disorderly intoxication and as the officer read it to Burkhart, he became “very irate,” according to the affidavit. Burkhart was released from handcuffs so he could sign the NTA and after signing it, he screamed and head-butted the officer. Burkhart placed back into handcuffs and charged with disorderly intoxication and battery on a law enforcement officer. He continued to scream, curse and bang his head on the way to the Lake County Jail, where he was released Wednesday on $3,000 bond.
_______________________________
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]
