GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Danny Taylor Tate, 30, of Cottondale, Florida, was arrested Saturday night on charges of disorderly intoxication, child neglect, battery on a paramedic, and resisting an officer with violence.
University of Florida Police Department officers were called to Emerson Hall, 1938 W. University Avenue, at about 8:56 p.m. on September 12 after a passerby flagged down an officer over concerns for a young child accompanying a man who appeared intoxicated.
According to an officer’s report, Tate was wearing only a watch, chain, shoes, and boxer shorts while pacing and speaking loudly. His six-year-old son was seated on the ground and talking with paramedics.
Two officers and two paramedics reportedly attempted to calm the situation. They contacted Tate’s cousin by phone, and the cousin was on the way to pick up Tate and his son in an effort to get them home safely.
Tate’s behavior reportedly shifted between calm and agitated without warning. Officers said he became increasingly upset after being asked to put his pants back on. His son was crying and appeared visibly frightened, according to the report.
Tate allegedly yelled for officers to taze and arrest him, while also telling them, “I can take you” and “I’m just trying to give him a fun weekend.”
At one point, Tate allegedly assumed a “football” stance before lunging at and tackling a paramedic.
MORE STORY: Boris Johnson: Kremlin’s Terror Attacks on Ukraine Will Fail
Two officers and the second paramedic pulled Tate off the paramedic, but he allegedly stiffened his body and tried to pull away. As an officer placed him into a patrol vehicle, Tate allegedly continued trying to yank free. During the trip to jail, he reportedly threatened to “see [the officer] tomorrow” and “beat [the officer] up,” wished the officer a terrible life, and made comments about the officer’s wife. Once at the jail, Tate reportedly began striking his head against the patrol car’s cage.
A search of Tate’s pants reportedly uncovered a vape pen. Officers also found a medical marijuana card in his wallet, but the vape pen was not labeled as prescription marijuana.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Tate reportedly told officers that they knew what the vape pen was.
Tate’s son was released to Tate’s cousin, and an officer reported that he would be submitting a report to the Department of Children and Families. The officer reported that Tate seemed more concerned about his job and the possibility that his ex-wife would take away his custody than he was about his son’s welfare.
Tate has been charged with battery on a paramedic, child neglect without great bodily harm, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication. His criminal history is unavailable because those documents are not posted on weekends. Judge Mitchell Bishop set bail at $6,000.