Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours of yesterday, 44-year-old Thomas Lamont Sanford found himself in police custody on accusations of assaulting a man with a knife and shoving a woman.
At approximately 7:07 a.m. on New Year’s Day, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to a residence following reports of a stabbing. Upon his arrival, three individuals emerged from the house, informing him that Sanford remained inside, wielding a knife. Although all four individuals reside at the address, the incident is not classified as domestic violence, as Sanford does not share a domestic relationship with any of the other parties involved.
The male victim recounted to the deputy that he intervened upon hearing Sanford and the female victim engaged in a heated argument in the kitchen, during which Sanford threatened to “kill everyone and won’t be found.” In an attempt to shield the woman, the male victim said he confronted Sanford, who brandished a “machete-sized knife.” Fearing for his safety, the male victim armed himself with a smaller kitchen knife. Sanford allegedly struck the male victim’s leg with the machete’s pointed end and then hit him on the head, subsequently throwing him across a table. The deputy observed a two-inch cut and a fresh scratch on the male victim, consistent with his account.
The male victim also claimed he witnessed Sanford push the female victim as she tried to attend to his injuries. However, Sanford could not advance past her before the deputy’s arrival, prompting him to retreat to his room.
According to the female victim, the altercation began with an argument between her and Sanford in the kitchen. The male victim emerged from his room to defend her. She described how Sanford “tapped” the male victim’s leg and then knocked him down. As she and the male victim sought refuge in the bathroom to address his injuries, Sanford attempted to enter, pushing her in the process. Despite his efforts, she remained steadfast, and Sanford’s attempts were thwarted. At that moment, the deputy reached the scene, causing Sanford to withdraw to his bedroom.
A witness said she had been asleep when she woke up to hear arguing and screams coming from the kitchen. She said she looked out to see someone “fly across the table,” and then the female victim said the male victim had been stabbed. She said she told everyone to “chill out” and took the knife from Sanford, who “took off in his room.”
The deputy issued commands to Sanford to come out of the residence, but he allegedly did not come outside. Eventually, a K-9 team brought him out of the residence.
Sanford has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, felony battery with prior battery convictions, and resisting an officer without violence. He has three felony convictions (non-violent) and nine misdemeanor convictions (three violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2009. He is currently on probation for drug possession. Judge Adam Lee ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial; if the judge denies the motion, bail will be set at that hearing.
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.
