Florida man charged for directing sprinklers at students with disabilities.
A 61-year-old man from Florida has been apprehended following allegations of deliberately targeting students with disabilities by directing his sprinklers at them as they approached and departed from a nearby bus stop. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest of Antonio Roman, who reportedly engaged in this behavior for several months, raising concerns among the community.
The incidents began on August 8, 2024, when neighbors reported Roman’s actions. Authorities indicated that Roman activated the sprinklers twice daily, precisely as the special needs students were being picked up or dropped off by the school bus. In a bid to shield his children from the water spray, one victim’s father began wearing swim attire during these bus stop visits.
The victims include a 17-year-old boy diagnosed with the rare Prader-Willi syndrome and a 22-year-old man facing challenges related to autism and Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, a genetic condition. Notably, the father accompanying the students is also a disabled individual due to a leg amputation.
An investigation prompted by these reports involved surveillance of Roman’s property, which established that his sprinkler system was indeed aimed directly at the school bus stop. Observations revealed that the sprinklers were activated upon the bus’s arrival and deactivated shortly after its departure. The family estimated that the students had been drenched by the sprinklers approximately 400 times since the harassment commenced.
It was reported that Roman expressed dissatisfaction regarding the bus stop’s location, which he believed encroached on his driveway used by the wheelchair ramp for one of the students. He also admitted to employing a surveillance system to monitor the bus’s schedule, enabling him to intensify the sprinkler system at the most disruptive times.
Following the investigation, police charged Roman with multiple offenses, including four counts of stalking, two counts of battery, and two counts of battery against a disabled person. After eluding law enforcement by leaving the state in June, he was arrested upon returning to Ocala on a Sunday. Subsequently, he was remanded to Marion County Jail, but public records indicate that he was released shortly after on Tuesday.
The ongoing case underscores vital issues concerning the treatment and protection of individuals with disabilities within the community. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage vigilance and reporting of similar incidents, ensuring a safe environment for all residents.
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