A 42-year-old Silver Springs man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he was accused of striking a co-worker’s back with a metal pipe.
On Thursday, October 13, an MCSO corporal responded to Marion Masonry Materials located at 3855 NE 35th Street in Ocala in reference to an aggravated battery incident involving two employees.
Upon arrival, the corporal made contact with the owner of the business who advised that he was made aware of an altercation that had occurred between the male victim and Billy Jack Harrington.
The owner advised that the victim and a few workers were claiming that Harrington had struck the victim with a large black metal pipe.
The corporal located the victim who advised that he was speaking with another co-worker shortly before the incident. When the victim approached that co-worker to offer a piece of candy he had in his pocket, the victim stated that he was struck between his shoulder blades with the metal pipe.
The victim told the corporal that he grabbed his back in pain, turned around, and saw Harrington drop the pipe. According to the victim, Harrington was yelling and accusing the victim of “talking bad about him.”
The victim stated that he was not involved in any kind of argument or altercation with Harrington prior to the alleged attack. The corporal noted in the MCSO report that the victim had a red mark and small bruise in-between his shoulder blades.
The corporal spoke with the co-worker who was near the victim when the alleged attack occurred. The co-worker gave a similar statement and advised that the metal pipe used by Harrington weighed approximately 25 pounds. The co-worker told the corporal that he backed away during the incident because he was fearful that Harrington was going to strike him.
According to the MCSO report, the corporal spoke with a manager who advised that he had separated Harrington and the victim. The manager stated that he instructed Harrington to leave the premises, and Harrington got into his vehicle and drove to the work yard. When Harrington exited his vehicle, the manager stated that Harrington began walking toward the victim while carrying a baseball bat.
The manager advised that he was able to get Harrington to “calm down,” and Harrington left the location.
The corporal responded to the 18600 block of SE 18th Street in Silver Springs and made contact with Harrington. After being read his Miranda rights, Harrington stated that the victim was “talking bad about him” and calling him a “pedophile.” Harrington claimed that this was an ongoing issue with the victim.
The MCSO report stated that Harrington is a registered sex offender.
Harrington denied striking the victim with a large metal pipe. He also denied grabbing a baseball bat from his vehicle and walking in the direction of the victim while carrying the bat.
Harrington was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $2,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.