A 23-year-old Ocala man admitted he has anger issues after being arrested for allegedly battering two people, including a 79-year-old woman, during a dispute over stolen food.
Dylan Lee Campbell was charged with aggravated battery on a person over 65 years of age and simple battery after the incident, which happened shortly before midnight Saturday in the victims’ home on SE 1st Avenue. Campbell lives in a separate residence on the property, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office report.
The elderly female victim told a deputy she saw Campbell punch the male victim in the face with a closed right fist. She said she ran after Campbell to get him out of the house and he turned around and pushed her to the ground with a lot of force, the report said.
The deputy observed that the female victim had blood all over her and was heavily bruised. She was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a possible fractured right wrist, fractured right hip, and a head wound, according to the report.
The male victim said Campbell is always stealing their food, so when Campbell snuck into the house, he went to confront him. He said Campbell started a verbal altercation and struck him on the left side of his face with his right fist, the report said.
The male victim said Campbell then went towards the front door when the female victim tried to get between them and touched Campbell on the back. He said Campbell turned around and slammed the female victim into the ground before running out the door. The deputy observed a red mark on the male victim’s face that was consistent with his story, according to the report.
Campbell said the male victim had a stick in his hand, so he was in fear and that is why he punched him in the face. Campbell said the female victim pushed him and his anger took over and he couldn’t help himself. He said he has anger issues and cannot control himself at times, the report said.
Campbell was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was being held Wednesday on $8,500 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Oct. 8.