Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Chanda Lukeveia Agosto, 30, was arrested yesterday after allegedly spraying mace at a juvenile and an adult at a bus stop in the Holly Heights area.

At about 2:30 p.m. on August 29, Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 500 block of SW 67th Terrace, where a group of witnesses reportedly said Agosto had sprayed a child with pepper spray or mace at a nearby bus stop.

Post Miranda, Agosto reportedly said she had broken up a fight between two juveniles at the bus stop and pulled out her key chain with a mace dispenser to defend herself against an adult male who was “advancing toward her aggressively.” She reportedly admitted to spraying the adult victim after breaking up the fight but denied spraying the 12-year-old child.

The victims reportedly told deputies that Agosto chased the child after she broke up the fight, and during the chase, she sprayed the child’s back with mace. The adult victim reportedly said he ran up and stood between Agosto and the juvenile victim, and he was also sprayed on the leg and in his face. A deputy reported that photos showed the juvenile victim’s back and the adult victim’s leg covered with mace.

A witness said Agosto chased the juvenile victim and tried to spray him after he got off the bus; the witness said the adult victim was also sprayed when he retrieved the juvenile victim’s book bag.

Agosto has been charged with battery and child abuse without great bodily harm. She has no criminal convictions, and Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered her released on her own recognizance.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.