Sarasota News Leader

01/10/2014

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Sarasota News Leader January 10, 2014 Page 84 BEACH CLUB ASSAILANT REMAINS IN SARASOTA COUNTY JAIL A 23-year-old Osprey man arrested in connection with an aggravated battery incident on Dec. 22 in Siesta Key Village remains in Sarasota County Jail under $500,000 bond, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office website. Hunter Elliott Johnston of 141 Bayview Lane, Osprey, was charged with one count of Aggravated Battery — Serious Bodily Injury after deputies saw him punch the victim in the face at the Beach Club just before 2 a.m. on Dec. 22, according to the incident report. The victim, Tyler R. Blandford, 25, of Owensboro, KY, sustained minor bleeding in the brain, the report says. He was transported to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton in critical but stable condition, the report continues. A deputy on routine patrol in Siesta Village already had been advised by another deputy to be on the lookout for Johnston because of a prior altercation at the Beach Club, the report says. A short time later, the deputy heard noise near the establishment and turned in time to see Johnston and Blandford in the alley between the Beach Club and The Lobster Pot, the report notes. Then the deputy saw Johnston use his right fist to punch Blandford, the report says. Blandford fell back and hit his head on the pavement, resulting in bleeding from his ears, the report adds. Hunter E. Johnston/Contributed photo Blandford eventually was transported to the Bradenton trauma facility by the Bay Flight medical helicopter service, according to a news release issued later that day. Johnston is scheduled to be arraigned in 12th Judicial Circuit Court on Jan. 17, according to the Sheriff's Office. A search of court records shows Johnson has been charged in the past with several traffic Bystanders performed CPR on Blandford infractions and a trespassing incident — the while awaiting an EMS unit, the report notes. latter dating back to 2009. % Simply put, Crime Stoppers relies upon the cooperation between the police the media and the community to provide a flow of information about crime and criminals. All submitted tips are secure and anonymous. (941) 366-TIPS (8477) • SarasotaCrimeStoppers.com

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