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Friday, March 29, 2024

Silver Springs man with prior battery conviction accused of attacking woman in bar

A 58-year-old Silver Springs man with a prior felony battery conviction was arrested after he was accused of attacking a woman inside a bar.

On Thursday, November 17, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to Suite 306, a cigar bar located at 3131 SW College Road in Ocala, in reference to a battery incident.

Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the female victim who advised that on Tuesday, November 15, at approximately 9:30 p.m., she was at Our Place Saloon located at 7651 SW Highway 200 when she was allegedly attacked by a man who was identified as Frederick Ernest Ayers II.

Frederick Ernest Ayers II
Frederick Ernest Ayers II

The victim stated that on Tuesday, she was sitting at the bar with a friend when Ayers repeatedly slammed his hands on the bar to get the attention of the bartender. She told the deputy that Ayers was acting disrespectfully, and she decided to “stand up for the bartender.”

The victim advised that she told Ayers to “stop being a (expletive),” and he allegedly responded by calling her several expletives. She stated that she stood up and said to Ayers, “Who are you, talking to me that way?”

Ayers allegedly proceeded to throw the victim backwards into a barstool and struck her in the face with a closed fist. After the victim fell backwards onto the floor, she stated that Ayers climbed on top of her and continued to punch her.

The deputy observed a large bruise on the left side of the victim’s chin. In the MCSO report, the deputy noted that the bruise was visible even though the victim had tried to cover it up with makeup. Additional bruising was also observed on the victim’s right knee and left forearm.

After speaking with the victim, the deputy responded to Our Place Saloon and spoke with the female bartender who was working at the time of the incident involving Ayers. The bartender advised that the incident occurred around 9:30 p.m., and it started when Ayers began slamming his hand on the bar demanding ice.

The bartender advised that she told Ayers she would be with him in a minute, and he responded by slamming his hand on the bar and shouting, “I want some (expletive) ice.” The victim informed the bartender that she was also a bartender, and the victim began to “stick up” for the bartender.

According to the bartender, Ayers and the victim began to yell at each other, and the bartender walked around the bar to break the incident up. When she approached the two of them, she advised that the victim was on the floor. Ayers was allegedly on top of the victim and was punching her multiple times.

The bartender stated that an off-duty bartender and other patrons were able to pull Ayers off of the victim, and they forced him to leave the bar.

The deputy responded to Ayers’ residence in the 3500 block of S Pine Avenue and made contact with him. After being read his Miranda rights, Ayers declined to speak about the incident.

A criminal history search of Ayers revealed that he was previously convicted of battery in Marion County in May of 2007.

Ayers was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $2,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for battery (second or subsequent offense).

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