Maracek found guilty of battering deputies and K9 during Feb. 2021 incident
Photo of Maracek in court courtesy of State Attorney's Office.
State Attorney's Office, Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando counties
Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando counties
Inverness (Citrus County), Florida - During the business week ending February 23, 2024, 50 year-old Robert Joe Maracek was found guilty of all charges relating to a February 1, 2021 incident that occurred in Citrus County, Florida. Maracek's sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 3, 2024. This case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Mannis and Kevin Davis.
Charges against Maracek included aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, two counts of throwing a deadly object at a vehicle, resisting a law enforcement officer with violence, illegal possession of amphetamine, battery of a law enforcement K-9, providing a false identity to a law enforcement officer, driving without a license, and driving with no vehicle registration.
On February 1, 2021, while attempting to evade a traffic stop in Hernando, Florida, Maracek struck a Citrus County Sheriff's Office deputy with his Ford Expedition SUV. While deputies were in pursuit of Maracek, who fled from them, he threw tire spikes from his vehicle's window in an attempt to thwart the pursuit. When his vehicle became disabled on South Washington Street in Beverly Hills, Florida, Maracek fled on foot and was apprehended by a K-9 unit. During the apprehension, Maracek resisted arrest, striking and kicking the deputies and K9 (canine) attempting to arrest him.
In May of 2000, Maracek was sentenced on charges related to an armed burglary and theft that occurred in Broward County, Florida in January 1994, and he absconded from his probation. On August 27, 2001, Maracek became a fugitive from Osceola County, Florida when he failed to appear at his trial on charges of resisting and battering law enforcement officers and leaving the scene of a traffic crash.
"This verdict reiterates the commitment of law enforcement and the judicial system to uphold public safety and hold individuals accountable for criminal behavior," said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. "Maracek will face the consequences of his actions as determined by the court."