An Ocala man was arrested after a confrontation with his stepdaughter’s father.
Jeffery Bernard Sheffield, 46, of 5470 NW 3rd Place, was charged with simple battery after the incident, which happened around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at his residence.
Sheffield’s stepson told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy he heard the victim ring the doorbell to see his daughter, who lives at the residence. He said Sheffield answered the door and started screaming at the victim. The witness said he dialed 911 at this point, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The witness said Sheffield became increasingly aggressive, saying the victim disrespected him by showing up in his yard. He said the victim tried to evade Sheffield, but Sheffield struck him in his face. The witness said the victim got into his vehicle and left the location. Two other juvenile witnesses, both stepchildren of Sheffield, said they saw him punch the victim in the face, the report said.
Contacted by phone, the victim said he came to the incident location to see his daughter on his break from work. He said when he knocked on the door, Sheffield became irate and advanced towards him aggressively. The victim said he told Sheffield he didn’t want to fight and tried to evade him. He said Sheffield punched him but he was not injured, according to the report.
Sheffield’s wife showed the deputy a security video that showed Sheffield leaving the residence and acting aggressively towards the victim. The victim can be seen trying to evade Sheffield before the video is blocked by one of the witnesses’ heads, the report said.
Sheffield was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was released Wednesday on $1,000 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Jan. 7.