In a troubling sequence of events, a Gainesville man, Omarion Dwayne Thomas, aged 19, finds himself in legal hot water following allegations of animal cruelty and property damage. Thomas was apprehended recently, following accusations that he caused the death of a bearded dragon belonging to his former girlfriend and subsequently vandalized a local community center.

The distressing incident reportedly unfolded on November 18th. According to a statement given to the Gainesville Police Department by Thomas’s ex-girlfriend, the day began with Thomas in her room alongside her pet bearded dragon, Ziggy. Upon returning from work, she discovered the creature’s glass enclosure covered by a blanket. Shockingly, beneath that cover, Ziggy was found lifeless, floating in a tank filled with water—an environment lethal to a species accustomed to arid conditions.

The police officer who responded to the call highlighted the incongruity of the situation, noting that bearded dragons are desert inhabitants requiring minimal water. The addition of water to Ziggy’s habitat, devoid of any objects the lizard could use to stay above water, inevitably led to the animal’s exhaustion and drowning.

When confronted about the tragic demise of Ziggy, Thomas reportedly offered no explanation, prompting his ex-girlfriend to ask him to leave the premises. The incident was compounded days later when Thomas allegedly hurled a rock through a window at the community center of the apartment complex, further entrenching his legal troubles.

Ziggy’s owner said Thomas had nothing to say when she asked him to explain why he had done this, so she told him to leave.

On November 19, Thomas was trespassed from the common areas of the Oxford Manor apartment complex, where his ex-girlfriend lives.

A Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Oxford Manor (2777 SW Archer Road) at about 12:43 p.m. on November 22, and an employee showed the officer surveillance video that showed Thomas picking up a large concrete rock and throwing it into the large glass window of the community center, resulting in damage estimated at $3,200. Thomas fled before the officer arrived.

At 6:27 p.m. on November 22, the same employee called the police to report that Thomas was back on the property, and an officer responded to arrest him.

Post Miranda, Thomas reportedly admitted that he had thrown a rock into the window and said he didn’t really know why he did it. He also reportedly denied having any contact with law enforcement on the 19th, when he was issued a trespass warning from the apartment complex. He said he was hanging out at the complex “for no reason.”

According to the arrest report, Thomas is homeless and has no valid reason for being in the common areas of the apartment complex. The employee reportedly said that Thomas has broken other windows and has stolen packages from residents and other items from staff over the past month; additional charges are expected.

Thomas has been charged with animal cruelty causing excessive pain or death, property damage over $1,000, and trespassing. He has one misdemeanor conviction for shoplifting and was fined after a deferred prosecution agreement was revoked because he failed to comply with the conditions of the agreement. Judge Robert Groeb set bail at $10,000 for the animal cruelty charge and $15,000 for the charges at the apartment complex.

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.