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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala man arrested after being accused of battering elderly victim

A 59-year-old Ocala man was arrested after being accused of grabbing an elderly male victim’s throat and pushing him to the ground.

On Saturday, June 4, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to a local residence in reference to a battery incident. Upon arrival, the corporal made contact with the elderly victim who stated that Earl Ray Mack, Jr. had battered him.

Earl Ray Mack, Jr.
Earl Ray Mack, Jr.

The victim stated that his spouse had passed away earlier this year, and he had been unable to contact one of his spouse’s female relatives to inform her of his spouse’s death. On Friday, June 3, the victim stated that this relative contacted him and requested to visit his spouse.

On the day of the incident, at around 11 a.m., the victim stated that the relative and Mack both arrived at his residence. Shortly after their arrival, he told the corporal that he informed them that his spouse was deceased.

The victim advised that he was standing in his yard and having a conversation with his spouse’s relative when Mack allegedly grabbed his throat and tripped him. The victim fell to the ground, and he stated that he was unable to breathe while Mack was holding his throat.

According to the MCSO report, there was a large red mark, approximately three inches in diameter, on the left side of the victim’s neck. The corporal observed that the mark appeared to be fresh and was consistent with being grabbed with significant force.

The corporal contacted the relative of the victim’s spouse, and she claimed that the victim spat towards Mack. She stated that Mack then grabbed the victim, and the victim proceed to fall to the ground.

When the corporal re-visited the victim, he stated that he did not spit at Mack.

The corporal responded to Mack’s residence, and he agreed to an interview. Mack stated that the victim spat on him, and he claimed that he defended himself by pushing the victim to the ground. He denied grabbing the victim by the throat.

Mack was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he was later released on $2,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for battery on a person 65 years of age or older.

A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.