A 51-year-old Ocala man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly violating a risk protection order and pointing a loaded firearm at two Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporals.
On Sunday, November 12, at approximately 12:25 p.m., the corporals responded to the 1000 block of SW 33rd Place in Ocala in reference to a man who had been seen walking around the neighborhood with a gun and “pointing it at trees,” according to the arrest report.
Upon arrival, the corporals were informed that the armed man, later identified as William Lee Harman, resided in the 3400 block of SW 10th Terrace. The report stated that the corporals then responded to the home and knocked at the door in an attempt to make contact with Harman.
According to the report, the corporals heard a man say, “That’s my house!” They turned around and observed Harman approximately 100 yards away, and he was “peaking over a white pickup truck.”
Harman proceeded to point “a gun with a red dot on it” in the direction of both corporals, and they gave loud instructions for Harman to drop the firearm. Harman complied with the orders by dropping the gun and laying on the ground, and he was secured in handcuffs, according to the report.
A computer check of Harman revealed that he was served with a risk protection order, which restricts firearm and ammunition possession by a person who poses a danger to themselves or others, in September of 2023.
A pat-down search of Harman was conducted, and two red straws were located. Both straws field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
Harman’s firearm, an “XD-45 ACP” loaded with 8 rounds including one in the chamber, was also confiscated. He told the corporals that it belonged to one of his relatives.
After being read his Miranda rights, Harman stated that he was pointing the gun with the “red dot sight” at the corporals to “get (their) attention.” He claimed that someone had attempted to break into his home, and “it had been going on all day,” according to the report.
During the post-Miranda interview, Harman admitted that he had consumed “two Mike’s Hard Lemonades,” and he further admitted to snorting medication with the straws approximately one hour before law enforcement arrived at the scene.
Harman was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing felony charges for aggravated assault on an officer (two counts), violation of a risk protection order, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12, according to jail records.