CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – A Citrus County woman faces a minimum of 10 years in prison after being found guilty of assaulting an elderly man during a burglary.
Melissa Marie Alexander, 36, was convicted of Burglary of a Dwelling with a Battery while Armed and Battery on a Person 65 Years of Age or Older. The charges stem from an incident on April 14, 2024, when Alexander entered the victim’s home with a firearm.
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According to the victim’s testimony, he had previously trespassed Alexander from his property. A struggle ensued when he tried to remove her from his home, during which the firearm discharged, injuring both Alexander and the victim. A witness intervened and secured the weapon.
Surveillance footage from the home corroborated the victim’s account, showing Alexander initiating the physical altercation.
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“The defendant’s conviction underscores the gravity of this case,” stated State Attorney Bill Gladson. “This violent altercation could have ended in tragedy. Such dangerous behavior has no place in our community.”
Following the guilty verdict, Judge Joel D. Fritton ordered Alexander into custody pending a pre-sentencing investigation.
Assistant State Attorneys Tara Hartman and Kevin Davis prosecuted the case.
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