Man Accused Of Punching 3 Tampa Courthouse Security Guards
TAMPA, FL July 10 2020— The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of punching three courthouse security officers Monday afternoon.
According to the sheriff’s office, at 4:17 p.m. Quantez Ray Nathaniel, 25, of Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, entered the secured screening section of the Edgecomb Courthouse at 800 E. Twiggs St. in Tampa.
Since he did not have legitimate business there and because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Nathaniel was ordered to stop and leave the building by a contracted security officer. Space at the courthouse is limited to the general public at this time.
The sheriff’s office said Nathaniel refused and the security officer was forced to block him at the magnetometer. He became violent, striking the security officer with a closed fist. The sheriff’s office said Nathaniel then punched two other security officers before the three were able to gain control of him.
A Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy based at the courthouse assisted and Nathaniel was arrested. He was transported to the Orient Road Jail without incident.
While Nathaniel was uninjured, the three contracted security officers he attacked suffered minor injuries including a lacerated lip, a contusion and abrasion to his forehead and a back injury. No one required medical attention.
Nathaniel is charged with three counts of battery on a licensed security officer.
“This is an example of the kinds of incidents officers and deputies face every day,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “There is no reason this should have escalated the way it did. Intentionally attacking an officer or deputy is a felony offense. I want to thank the security officers involved for their patience and composure. They helped end this man’s rage as peacefully as possible.
Nathaniel remains at the Falkenburg Road Jail at this time. Bail is set at $6,000.
