A 44-year-old homeless man who just spent nearly a month in the Marion County Jail for panhandling was charged with trespassing at the Salvation Army on Sunday.
An Ocala Police officer spotted Robert Counts while conducting a security check at the shelter, located at 320 NW 1st Ave. The officer was familiar with Counts from multiple police encounters and knew he was previously trespassed from the Salvation Army. He confirmed that Counts was banned from the property before charging him with trespass after warning, according to the police report.
According to Marion County Jail records, Counts was released from jail on April 1 after serving 23 days for violating the city’s panhandling ordinance. He’s been arrested 38 times since 1994 for charges including trespassing, panhandling, open lodging, driving with a suspended license and drug charges.
Counts is being held on $250 bond and will appear in Marion County Court on May 17.