Homosassa man indicted for forcibly assaulting federal agents with knives
Ocala, Florida On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of a two-count superseding indictment charging 66 year-old Phil Henry Taylor, of Homosassa, Florida with forcibly assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, and receipt of stolen government property. If convicted, Taylor faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the assault charge, and up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the fraud charge.
On December 12, 2023, Taylor and his stepdaughter, Patricia Clinard, were each charged with one count of receipt of stolen government property. On January 9, 2024, the grand jury superseded that indictment to add one count of forcibly assaulting a federal officer by Taylor.
According to court records, between February 26, 2016, and March 2, 2020, Taylor and Clinard fraudulently obtained Social Security benefits from Taylor’s late-wife’s account by forging her name on checks. After the return of the indictment for the receipt of stolen government property, federal warrants were issued for their arrests.
On January 4, 2024, special agents with the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General attempted to arrest Taylor at his home. Taylor, however, refused to exit, telling the agents that he would stab them if they entered. After breaching the front door of the home, the agents immediately observed Taylor holding two large knives. Taylor eventually dropped the weapons and was taken into custody.
An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.