Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jennifer Leigh Secreto, aged 42, and Jasson Edward Joseph Secreto, aged 41, were taken into custody yesterday for trespassing despite prior warnings. During the process of the arrest, their dog allegedly attacked a police officer, who then shot and killed the animal in a defensive reaction.
At approximately 6:40 a.m. on August 8, the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) responded to a property owner’s request for a trespassing sweep at an encampment located north of NE 31st Avenue, near NE 9th Street.
Police officers approached Jennifer Secreto, verified that she had been warned about trespassing on the premises before, and subsequently arrested her for violating the trespass warning.
The officers noticed the couple’s dog barking aggressively and recognized the animal from a previous incident on August 5, where Jasson Secreto had been advised to keep the pit bull mix leashed during interactions with law enforcement.
Jasson Secreto emerged from a makeshift structure, constructed around a fallen tree, holding the dog’s harness. Although the structure had a door with a handle, it lacked a lock or a door frame. Jasson warned that the dog might bite, and officers instructed him to secure the dog and exit the structure. He left the dog inside, with an unfilled five-gallon jug blocking the door, and stepped out.
Jasson Secreto was subsequently arrested due to prior trespass warnings. Shortly afterward, the dog managed to escape the structure and attacked a GPD officer, causing injuries such as lacerations on his left forearm, a torn right earlobe, and head punctures. To prevent further harm, the officer was forced to shoot the dog, resulting in its death. The injured officer was transported to the emergency room and received seven stitches for his wounds.
Jennifer Secreto has been charged with trespass after warning. Her full criminal history is unavailable, but she has about six felony convictions (non-violent) and 10 misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $2,000.
Jasson Secreto has been charged with trespass after warning and culpable negligence leading to personal injury, and he was also booked for violating probation. His full criminal history is unavailable, but he has at least 17 felony convictions (non-violent) and six misdemeanor convictions (non-violent) and is currently on probation for stealing a mower from a church; he was cited in 2013 for failure to control a dog but never paid the fine. Judge Van Vorst set bail at $105,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
