A 46-year-old man known only as “Unk” to his victim was jailed recently after a violent battle at an Ocala residence.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded Monday to a residence on S.W. 156th Avenue, where they spoke with the victim of the attack. He said Sonny Boy Oates III had battered him and threatened him with a hammer. He said he had allowed Oates to sleep in his one-bedroom residence for one night because he said he was tired and didn’t have anywhere else to go. He said he left for the night and when he returned the following day, Oates was still there, a sheriff’s office report states.
The victim said he confronted Oates and a verbal altercation broke out. He said they ended up outside the residence, where Oates grabbed him with both hands by his shoulder and neck area and threw him into a large bush by the house, the report says.
Deputies noted that the victim had a forming contusion and redness on his collarbone, as well as two other contusions forming on both shoulders. They also observed lacerations that appeared to be recent, the report says.
The victim said he got up and saw Oates coming at him in a threatening manner with a hammer. He said he was in fear for his life so he ran to his vehicle and drove away while waiting for deputies to arrive. He added that he could still see Oates and watched him re-enter his residence.
Oates initially refused to come out of the residence but after the victim let deputies inside, they detained him and removed him from the house. After being read his rights, Oates confirmed that he and the victim had been in an argument but denied it becoming physical. He claimed the entire argument was through a closed door and he never saw the victim, according to the report.
Oates was placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and battery (second or subsequent offense). A background check showed that he had multiple battery convictions, with the most recent being on Sept. 4, 2008.