Bloody Florida man allegedly sics pit bull on deputies during chaotic roadside takedown
DUNNELLON, Fla. - Editor's note: Some of the photos and videos included in this story are graphic in nature and might be disturbing to some readers. Viewer discretion is advised.
What started as a reported road rage incident in Dunnellon spiraled into a chaotic arrest involving a man, his pit bull, a naked child, over $15,000 in discarded bills and enough fentanyl to kill over 4,000 people, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Josue Hernandez, 38, is facing several charges after the incident that unfolded in the area of 17000 SW Highway 484 on Saturday evening:
- Battery on officer (2 counts)
- Resisting arrest with violence
- Child neglect without great bodily harm
- Trafficking in fentanyl (more than 4 grams)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Josue Hernandez (Photo: Marion County Jail)
The Marion County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a possible fight in the road stemming from a road rage incident, and when a deputy arrived to the scene, he found one of the people involved in the alleged incident. That person, identified as Hernandez, was seen "throwing garbage out of the open windows of (his) vehicle," the affidavit said. This "garbage" was later determined to be over $15,000 in bills of different denominations, deputies said.
No other details about the road rage incident were made immediately available.
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When the deputy tried to speak with Hernandez, he noticed he wasn't alone in his car. In the passenger seat was a naked and unbuckled child, and two dogs – one of which was an "aggressive" pit bull – were in the back, the affidavit said.
The deputy asked Hernandez to step out of the car seven times, but the suspect didn't listen, according to the arrest report.
"After my 7th time of requesting him to speak to me behind the car, he rolled the back driver side window down at which time his pit bull climbed halfway out of the window," the affidavit said. "He asked me, ‘Are you p***? Are you scared of dogs?’ He then sat up out of his seat and said, ‘I just fought one like you.’"
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Hernandez then appeared to get into a fighting stance and put his hands up, at which time the deputy tried to grab his wrists to physically detain him, the arrest report continued. Hernandez allegedly resisted, and at one point, nearly pushed the deputy into the road on Highway 484, a busy, high-traffic area.
"I was in fear that he would push me into 484 and that we both could be hit by oncoming traffic. Multiple vehicles drove by us at close range during this incident," the deputy wrote in the arrest affidavit.
** GRAPHIC PHOTO WARNING** Josue Hernandez was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, child neglect, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking in fentanyl, and two counts of battery on an officer. (Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office)
At this point during the incident, both Hernandez and the deputy were outside of the car. The report said that the deputy was trying to get Hernandez onto the ground to detain him, but Hernandez – again – would not listen.
"I was fearful that he was going to attempt to get into his driver seat and either drive away or get a weapon from his vehicle," the deputy wrote in the affidavit. "(The child) was still unbuckled in the front seat, and I absolutely could not allow the defendant to get into the vehicle to drive away for the sake of preserving the (child's) life."
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The deputy wound up using his Taser on Hernandez twice. The second time, the deputy said that Hernandez was able to stand up, rip the Taser probes out and run in the other direction. Hernandez then called for his dog and apparently gave it commands to attack both the first deputy and the backup deputies that arrived during this moment, the affidavit said.
Story continues below photo gallery. Please note that some images are graphic in nature and might be disturbing to some readers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Other deputies used oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray to get the dog away from the deputies, the report said.
The report added that one of the deputies was able to take Hernandez down to the ground, but during their attempt to put handcuffs on him, the dog tried to attack the group. The dog was sprayed again.
Hernandez was successfully detained.
** GRAPHIC PHOTO WARNING** Josue Hernandez was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, child neglect, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking in fentanyl, and two counts of battery on an officer. (Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office)
Marion County Fire Rescue then responded to transport him for his injuries. The extent of Hernandez's injuries is unknown at this time.
While he was on the gurney, he allegedly spit on one of the first responders and on the group of deputies.
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As deputies canvassed the area along Highway 484, they found $15,415 in bills that Hernandez threw from his car, the affidavit added. He didn't explain why he was throwing money out of his car, a spokesperson for the Marion County Sheriff's Office told FOX 35.
Deputies also reportedly found several clear plastic baggies, which revealed 8.5 grams of fentanyl.
Additionally, the child that was in the passenger seat of the car is OK.
This is a developing story and will be updated.