A Florida man is accused of threatening two repo workers with a tomahawk after they arrived to take his truck, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say the confrontation escalated quickly as the workers prepared to tow the vehicle from his Ocala home.
The incident happened Friday at a residence on Northwest 67th Terrace in Ocala. Deputies responded after receiving a report of a verbal disturbance involving a vehicle repossession.
According to an arrest affidavit, 54-year-old Clifford Dean Duvall confronted the workers after they had already hooked his black truck to a tow vehicle. Investigators say Duvall climbed into the truck, grabbed a black metallic tomahawk, removed its sheath, and approached the workers.
Deputies said surveillance footage showed Duvall pointing the tomahawk toward the workers while striking the metal tow cable with the weapon. The two repo workers told investigators they feared for their safety during the confrontation.
Deputies Say Duvall Wanted To Scare Repo Workers
According to Click Orlando and the Ocala Florida Police Scanner on Facebook, Marion County Sheriff’s Office security camera footage captured Duvall walking toward the workers while holding the tomahawk just a few feet away from them. Investigators said he pointed the weapon in their direction before striking the cable attached to the truck.
After deputies arrived, Duvall admitted grabbing the tomahawk but claimed he never intended to kill anyone. Instead, he reportedly told investigators his goal was simply to “scare both victims” into abandoning the repossession.
Body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office shows Duvall pleading with deputies during his arrest. “Please, let it down. Please, let it down. I never threatened I’d kill them or anything like that,” he can be heard saying as he was taken into custody.
What Charges Is Clifford Duvall Facing?
Duvall was booked into the Marion County Jail on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, one count for each of the two repo workers involved. His bond was set at $15,000 per count, for a total bond of $30,000, and his next court appearance is scheduled for September 1.
Under Florida law, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill is generally charged as a third-degree felony. If convicted, each count is punishable by up to five years in prison, up to five years of probation, and a fine of up to $5,000.
Because Duvall is charged with two separate counts, the court could impose sentences on each conviction. Whether any sentences would run concurrently or consecutively would ultimately be determined by the court if he is convicted.
Of course, as always, the suspect is considered to be innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.