HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – Jerae Crussell, who fled during his trial, has been located and arrested by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Unit on April 8, 2025.
Crussell’s legal troubles began after a shooting incident on February 19, 2022, at approximately 2:10 a.m. at Mermaids Lounge, located at 4564 Commercial Way in Spring Hill. Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a man shot multiple times in the establishment’s parking lot.
Witnesses reported that two suspects, described as an unidentified black male and an unidentified Hispanic male, fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. The victim was treated by patrons and then transported to a local trauma center with gunshot wounds. He was expected to recover.
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The subsequent investigation identified Jerae N. Crussell as a suspect. On May 13, 2022, a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges of Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm – Possess/Discharge/Injury and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Crussell was arrested at his place of employment in Pasco County on May 20, 2022.
On April 3, 2025, Crussell appeared in District Court for his trial on these charges. However, during a break in the trial, before the verdict was reached, Crussell, who was out on bond, returned home, removed his ankle monitor, and fled.
Despite his absence, the trial proceeded, and Crussell was found guilty of Aggravated Battery and Felon in Possession of a Handgun-Causing Serious Bodily Injury.
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An active warrant remained in effect for Crussell’s arrest, and the U.S. Marshal’s task force assisted in the search for him.
Crussell remained at large until his arrest Tuesday by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Intelligence Unit.
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