Four teens were arrested for brutally beating a Central Florida man.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested four teens this month for their involvement in a horrific beating of a 35-year-old Mulberry man. The victim was admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering major facial injuries such as a broken nose, broken jaw, several lacerations, and swelling.
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“The video of the beating is hard to watch,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “The victim was knocked down with the first punch and rendered defenseless. The suspects continued to attack the man—they pummeled him repeatedly with a sickening rage.”
The victim’s wife first reported the attack at 11:40 p.m., but the victim initially refused to cooperate with the investigation.
PCSO detectives continued to follow up with the victim, who shared information with the investigating deputy. He reported that four youths approached and pummeled him while he was conversing with a male at a Mulberry car wash on N. Church Avenue. He stated that when he awoke, he walked home.
As the investigation developed, authorities were able to identify a witness and four suspects, as well as get mobile phone video of the beating.
The suspects have all been arrested:
- 18-year-old Eathan Ryne Simmons, from Mulberry: charged with attempted 2nd degree murder, aggravated battery with bodily harm, rioting, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
- 18-year-old Westlee Austin Davis II, from Mulberry: charged with attempted 2nd degree murder, aggravated battery with bodily harm, rioting, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
- 17-year-old Robert Frerichs, from Mulberry: charged with attempted 2nd degree murder, aggravated battery with bodily harm, and rioting.
- 19-year-old Dalton Ivory Creach, from Lakeland: charged with rioting and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
During an interview with authorities, the suspects claimed that they confronted the victim for annoying an autistic buddy and were protective of him. According to law enforcement, the unknown autistic friend and another person were not involved in the attack, but detectives were still trying to identify these two men.
