Ocala man arrested for alleged brass knuckles attack

A 44-year-old Ocala man was arrested on assault charges a week after being accused of waking a man in the middle of the night and attacking him with brass knuckles.

On Sunday, August 18, at approximately 3:50 a.m., a Marion County Sheriff's deputy responded to a residence on SE 50th Avenue Road in Belleview for an assault incident. Upon arrival, the deputy was informed that a male victim had allegedly been assaulted by Richard Thomas Basile, according to the arrest report.

The victim's roommate told the officer that Basile arrived at the apartment and said he was going to “beat up the victim.” According to the roommate, Basile was upset because he thought the victim had stolen from him.

The officer spoke with the victim, who stated he was sleeping at home when Basile woke him up. He stated Basile then “forced” him to leave the house to talk, the report said.

Once outside, the victim claimed Basile began punching him in the face and he fell to the ground. The victim added that Basile “beat him all over his body” with brass knuckles, and the report said the alleged attack continued until the victim's roommate went outside.

The roommate told the officer that after Basile left the house, he was observed getting into a black pickup truck with two other people. The vehicle then drove away, according to the report.

The officer noted in the report that the victim had “obvious injuries” to his left eye and cheek. Blood was also visible on his left arm and red marks were visible on his legs. The officer further noted that injuries to the victim's head were “consistent with a blunt weapon,” such as brass knuckles.

The report stated that Basile's whereabouts were unknown on the day of the incident. A week later, on Sunday, August 25, Basile was located, arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

Basile is currently being held in the Marion County Jail on $50,000 bail. He is charged with aggravated assault resulting in bodily harm or obstruction.

According to prison records, no court date has been scheduled yet.