A Florida woman already facing felony fleeing charges allegedly ran from law enforcement again, this time on foot. A Marion County sheriff’s deputy reported firing seven Taser cartridges before she was handcuffed.
Cathryn Jean Lewis, 20, was arrested October 12 after deputies responded to a disturbance at a home in Belleview, south of Ocala. A woman at the residence reported that Lewis had become aggressive during an argument and pushed a man.
When Deputy Joel Tompkins encountered Lewis carrying belongings up the driveway, she reportedly ignored his commands to stop, dropped what she was holding, and ran.
The encounter ended with Lewis being taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries before being booked on battery and resisting an officer without violence charges. She also had an outstanding DUI probation-violation warrant stemming from an earlier case.
Seven Cartridges in the Driveway
The confrontation began around 6:45 p.m. at a residence on Southeast 99th Avenue, according to an arrest affidavit filed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
The caller described Lewis as wearing a green crop top and black shorts. Tompkins spotted someone matching that description walking up the driveway with several items in her hands. After the caller confirmed her identity, he ordered Lewis to stop.
Lewis briefly turned toward him but did not respond. As he approached, she dropped her belongings and began running eastbound.
Tompkins drew his agency-issued Taser 10 and warned her to stop. When she continued running, he fired four cartridges, reporting that the deployment initially incapacitated her.
Lewis began getting back up before she could be restrained. An attempt to reactivate the Taser failed to produce the desired effect, prompting Tompkins to discharge three additional cartridges. He reported that the second series incapacitated her, allowing deputies to secure her in handcuffs.
The affidavit documents seven cartridge discharges, although it does not establish that every cartridge struck Lewis or produced an electrical shock.
Lewis suffered minor injuries and scrapes from falling. Marion County Fire Rescue transported her to AdventHealth Ocala for treatment.
The Phone Kept Recording
After Lewis was detained, investigators examined cellphone footage recorded during the original argument.
The man involved showed Tompkins a video in which Lewis objected to being recorded inside the house. She told him he could not record her there, while he maintained that he was recording himself.
The footage then became shaky, accompanied by rustling sounds. The man told investigators those sounds came from Lewis pushing him.
Two other people at the residence said they had temporarily allowed Lewis to stay there but wanted her to leave because of her confrontational behavior. Their statements supported the man’s account, and those involved provided sworn written statements.
Lewis disputed the account when interviewed at the hospital. She said she had been sleeping when someone knocked on the bedroom door and told her to pack her belongings and leave.
An argument followed in the living room, but Lewis maintained that she repeatedly asked to be allowed to leave. She denied pushing the man or making physical contact with anyone.
Another Case Was Waiting
Lewis also had an outstanding warrant for violating probation in a DUI case involving property damage.
Her Marion County jail record lists charges from a separate case, including aggravated fleeing and eluding involving injury or property damage, criminal mischief involving damage of at least $1,000, and driving while her license was suspended.
Those charges stem from an earlier incident. The October 12 encounter involved Lewis allegedly running from an officer on foot.
Court records in the felony fleeing case, 2026-CF-002526, show that a judge revoked her bonds on October 13, one day after the latest arrest. The available documents do not establish whether the new charges prompted that decision.
For the October 12 incident, Lewis faces misdemeanor battery and resisting an officer without violence charges. Jail records list bonds of $1,000 and $500, respectively, while several earlier charges have zero-dollar bond amounts.
Her next court appearances are scheduled for November 4 on the new misdemeanor charges, November 16 on the DUI probation violation, and February 16, 2027, in the felony fleeing case.
All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Love Florida Man and Florida Woman stories? The absurdity doesn’t stop at the state line! Follow Guessing Headlights on Facebook for more unbelievable stories, or join What The Crime on Reddit, our new community for bizarre crimes, outrageous arrests, and strange encounters with the law from all 50 states. Better yet, join us in both places!