MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 30-year-old Ocala man has been found guilty of felony battery on a law enforcement officer following a jury trial this week. Devin Jacquan Jackson was convicted for a 2023 incident where he shoved an Ocala Police Department (OPD) officer during a bar disturbance.
“The defendant couldn’t negate the video footage presented in this case. Fortunately for us, once the jurors saw this evidence, they knew their only verdict was guilty,” said Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie.
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The incident occurred on November 4, 2023, at a bar in downtown Ocala. Jackson was being escorted out of the establishment by an OPD officer due to his disorderly conduct and aggressive behavior towards other patrons. As the officer was leading Jackson outside, an unknown liquid was thrown from the second-floor balcony, landing near Jackson.
Jackson became irate and attempted to re-enter the bar. When the officer tried to prevent him from doing so, Jackson shoved the officer and was subsequently arrested.
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The case against Jackson relied heavily on body-worn camera footage, which clearly captured the incident.
Jackson was sentenced to 5 years of probation with credit for time served. His sentence also includes alcohol and substance abuse treatment, 300 hours of community service, and court fines.
Assistant State Attorney Meredith Poisson prosecuted the case.
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