An Ocala man was arrested after pinning his 85-year-old roommate on the ground during an altercation Sunday morning.
The elderly victim told deputies that Billy James Pedraza, 37, confronted him in his room at a home located at SW 45th Circle because he was upset about a matter regarding their vehicle. The man said he was sitting on his bed when Pedraza started yelling at him, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office report states.
The man also told deputies that Pedraza touched his nose as he was pointing his finger in his face. The man said he went from sitting on his bed to laying on the ground between the bed and a dresser with Pedraza sitting on top of him, the report says, adding that the victim was afraid Pedraza was going to choke him.
Pedraza told deputies that he became upset after the man refused to give him a ride to pick up a vehicle. He admitted to pointing his finger in the man’s face but said he did not touch his nose. And Pedraza said he detained the man on the ground because he slapped him in the face – a claim the victim denied.
Pedraza was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with battery on a person 65 years of age or older. He was held without bail.
Pedraza also was arrested March 8 and charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He was booked on $2,000 bond in that case.