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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala man arrested after trespassing, swinging machete during argument

A 40-year-old Ocala man was arrested after trespassing and swinging a machete at another man during a verbal altercation.

On Tuesday, November 16, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Cross County Motor Lodge located at 5100 S Pine Avenue in reference to a disturbance.

A witness told the deputy that he was inside his residence when he heard yelling from outside.

The witness looked outside, observed Michael Jaye Alexander chasing after a man while holding a machete, and contacted law enforcement.

A 40-year-old Ocala man was arrested after trespassing and swinging a machete at another man during a verbal altercation.
Michael Jaye Alexander

The witness informed the deputy that Alexander was trespassing and should not have been on the property.

The male victim involved in the altercation told the deputy that he was giving a new showerhead to one of the lodge’s residents when a female approached him. A verbal altercation between the two quickly ensued.

The female knew Alexander, and later told the deputy that Alexander had stopped by the lodge to bring her groceries.

Alexander overheard the argument and approached the victim. According to the victim, Alexander threatened and then chest bumped him.

The victim pulled out a pocketknife to defend himself, and Alexander ran to his vehicle that was parked by the road off the premises. Alexander returned wielding a machete.

As the victim attempted to back away, he stated that Alexander began swinging the machete and threatened to kill him.

Alexander eventually ran back to his vehicle and left the lodge.

The female that knew Alexander claimed that the victim had grabbed her by the arm, pulled out a pocketknife, and threatened to stab her in the neck. She told the deputy that when Alexander arrived with the machete, both men began swinging their blades at each other.

Another MCSO deputy later located Alexander’s vehicle parked behind the Circle K on 5201 S Pine Avenue in Ocala.

Alexander was detained and admitted to trespassing on the property. He stated that the victim was threatening both him and the female with a knife, and he grabbed the machete from his vehicle to “retaliate.”

The machete was found in the passenger seat of Alexander’s vehicle, and he confirmed that it was the same one used during the altercation.

Alexander was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he faces felony charges for armed trespassing and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

He was released on bond and a court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.