A Belleview fugitive is behind bars after a vicious attack on a Marion County sheriff’s K-9 deputy and his dog.
Cpl. Branden Donahue and his dog, Scout, responded on Tuesday to 8844 S.E. 126th Place in Belleview to locate 33-year-old Branden Anthony Richter, who was wanted on several outstanding warrants. Donahue located Richter in the backyard of his residence and he attempted to flee, a sheriff’s office report states.
Donahue utilized Scout to apprehend Richter but during the apprehension he pulled a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun and began to violently resist arrest. A long struggle then ensued over the firearm, the report says.
During the incident, Richter bit Donahue on his arm and hand and also choked Scout and bit his ear, the report says. Donahue eventually was able to remove the gun from Richter’s control and other sheriff’s deputies arrived a short time later to help.
Richter continued to resist arrest and deputies were forced to tase him. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on a police K-9, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number. He also was charged on the outstanding warrants for felony order to revoke his bond on grand theft auto and resisting arrest charges and two misdemeanor warrants for resisting arrest. He is being held on no bond and is due in court April 14 and April 20 to answer to the charges, jail records show.
All of the deputies and K-9 Scout were treated for their injuries and are “doing fine,” a post on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page states.