LCSO says "drug crazed man" who attacked deputy in Morriston arrested in Marion County

Levy County, Florida - According to the Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), a "drug crazed man" fought Deputy Leroy Prine during a 911 call for service at a Morriston home, Nov. 27, with the initial complaint by a man, that a person he did not know - who was later identified as Sylvester Carmauche, age 37 - was beating on his door, screaming for help. While Deputy Prine was enroute to the home, he was informed by LCSO dispatch that the caller stated that the man was now trying to break the door to enter the home.

When Deputy Prine arrived, he was immediately confronted by Mr. Carmauche, who was wearing only shorts, and begging for Deputy Prine to help him remove his shorts because they were about to burst into flames. The press release stated that Mr. Carmauche was uncooperative, so Deputy Prine placed him in hand restraints and seated him in the back seat of his patrol car so he could begin his investigation.

The homeowner told Deputy Prine that he believed the man's name was Sylvester Carmauche, that he knew Mr. Carmauche’s father. Deputy Prine determined that Mr. Carmauche needed a medical evaluation, based upon his bizarre behavior, and returned to his car.

When Deputy Prine opened the rear door of his patrol car to place the seatbelt on Mr. Carmauche, Mr. Carmauche, who had apparently freed himself, attacked Deputy Prine, exited the patrol car and took off running. Carmauche then dove through a closed window into an adjacent home. When Deputy Prine entered the neighboring home, the homeowners were screaming, and Mr. Carmauche was seated on the couch watching TV. According to the press release, Carmauche stated to Deputy Prine, "You need to help me, I’m going to burst into flames at any time.”

Carmauche ignored Deputy Prine's orders to surrender to him, then charged at Deputy Prine in a second attempt to flee. This time, Deputy Prine was able to stop him by using his Taser, an electroshock weapon also known as a stun gun, which caused him to drop to the ground, and a struggle ensured between them as Deputy Prine attempted to gain control of Carmauche, who broke free from the Taser and grappled with Deputy Prine.

During the struggle, Carmauche ripped Deputy Prine’s radio from his side, grabbed his holstered firearm several times, and attempted to gain control of Deputy Prine's Taser. Carmauche grabbed a nearby bicycle pump and twice struck Deputy Prine's head with it, using enough force that he bent the pump. Carmauche began to choke Deputy Prine, but the homeowner intervened and shoved Mr. Carmauche off Deputy Prine's back. Carmauche then broke free from Deputy Prine’s grasp and fled from the home. Deputy Prine went in pursuit of Carmauche, but lost sight of him in the darkness. A neighbor yelled to Deputy Prine that the suspect was across the street, beating on another person’s door, demanding to be let inside.

At that time, backup units arrived and took Mr. Carmauche into custody after a short struggle. Carmauche continued to fight with deputies, even when emergency medical services arrived on scene. Carmauche was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. Deputy Prine sustained minor injuries during the struggle and was also treated at a local hospital, then released.

On Dec. 1, a warrant was issued for Mr. Carmauche's arrest, and he was arrested in Marion County by the combined efforts of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, LCSO and the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force. He was charged with aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, depriving a law enforcement officer of a communication device, resisting arrest with violence, 3 counts of battery of a law enforcement officer, burglary, and criminal mischief. His bond was set at $215,000. He is being held in the Marion County Jail in Ocala, FL, awaiting transport to the Levy County Detention Bureau in Bronson, FL.

According to the LCSO, Carmauche has a lengthy, violent criminal history spanning several states.