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Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities have taken 45-year-old Matthew James Osgood of Citra into custody following accusations of threatening a utility worker with a crowbar.
The incident unfolded around 1:15 p.m. on April 28, when an officer from the Gainesville Police Department was dispatched to the vicinity of NW 6th Street and NW 3rd Avenue. According to the victim, he and his colleagues were engaged in utility work, having cordoned off the area for safety purposes.
The victim recounted that Osgood entered the restricted zone and approached him. Upon being asked to leave for safety reasons, Osgood allegedly began shouting at the workers. He reportedly left the scene but soon returned wielding a crowbar, continuing to yell and allegedly threatening the victim with the tool. The victim stated that he feared for his safety.
The victim’s account was supported by testimonies from his co-workers, all of whom confirmed the sequence of events.
Post Miranda, Osgood reportedly did not want to answer questions.
Osgood has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He lives in Citra and told Court Services he works for a lawn care company and was only in Gainesville for the day. He has one felony conviction (non-violent), two misdemeanor convictions (non-violent), and two criminal traffic convictions. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $10,000.
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