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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Earl Larrenzo Fossett, 23, was arrested early this morning and charged with two counts of simple battery after allegedly punching one person and pushing another at Culver’s.
At about 11:15 p.m. last night, a Culver’s manager reportedly asked Fossett to leave the restaurant and said that they wanted him trespassed so he could not return. Fossett allegedly refused to leave and stayed in the lobby area of the restaurant. An employee again asked Fossett to leave and stood between Fossett and the dining area to prevent Fossett from going further into the restaurant. Fossett allegedly tried to push past her by shoving her. Another person intervened and pushed Fossett back, then Fossett allegedly punched the second person three times in the face; the battery was reportedly captured on video surveillance cameras. Fossett then reportedly walked out of the restaurant, and two Gainesville Police Department officers made contact with him nearby.
Post Miranda, Fossett reportedly admitted punching one of the victims three times in the face.
Fossett has previously been described as homeless in court records and was last arrested in Gainesville on May 20 for spitting on and hitting someone at the Target Copy at 1412 W. University Avenue. He was released on his own recognizance by Judge Gloria Walker.
His first local arrest was in December 2022 for charging his phone on residents’ balconies at Alight Apartments. On January 18, he was found incompetent to proceed with trial and was transported to the Meridian Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Unit for treatment, with a requirement that Court Services supervise his treatment upon release. The order found that he did not meet the criteria for commitment to a Department of Children and Families facility because he was charged with a misdemeanor; the charge was later dropped.
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He was arrested for attempted burglary on February 27; the charges were dropped on March 24. Meanwhile, a sworn complaint was filed for stealing merchandise from Walmart at Butler Plaza on February 14; Fossett was arrested on April 1 for trespass after warning at the same Walmart. After he entered a plea of nolo contendere in both cases on May 4, Judge Thomas Jaworski fined him $376 and $326, which have not been paid.
Fossett was arrested again on May 16 for trespass after warning on the University of Florida campus; the next day, following a plea of nolo contendere, Judge Thomas Jaworski fined him $276 and released him. The fine has not been paid.
The May 26 arrest report notes that Fossett “has an extensive history of trespass warnings in the SW Butler Plaza area and has caused issues with multiple businesses. He also has a battery history, although at this time no Simple Battery convictions.”
Bail information is unavailable on weekends, but Fossett remains in the Alachua County Jail at this time.
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.
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