Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Last night, Robert Morgenstern, age 33, was taken into custody for allegedly intimidating a staff member at GRACE Marketplace when he discovered there were no available beds.

At approximately 7:32 p.m. on July 25, an officer from the Gainesville Police Department was called to GRACE Marketplace, located at 3055 NE 28th Drive. A GRACE staff member reported that during his attempt to inform Morgenstern about the lack of available beds, Morgenstern spat on him. The staff member mentioned that as Morgenstern exited the dormitory area, he turned back and aimed a silver metallic object at him, which resembled a gun. Fearing for his life, the victim was convinced Morgenstern was about to fire.

The officer observed surveillance footage that confirmed Morgenstern had spat on the staff member, who then wiped his face. Additionally, the officer noted that Morgenstern had been banned from GRACE indefinitely earlier in 2023.

Responding officers reported that when they located Morgenstern, he had a silver metal object in his waistband, carrying it like it was a firearm.

Post Miranda, Morgenstern reportedly said he has been beaten and stabbed at GRACE because he did not yet have a bed in the dorm; he added that he can’t trespass at GRACE because he owns it. He said he carries the metal pipe for protection.

Morgenstern has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, simple battery, and trespass after warning. He has three felony convictions (one violent); he has served one state prison sentence and was released in 2022 after serving a four-year sentence for charges out of Lee County. He was arrested in April 2023 for trespassing at GRACE Marketplace, resisting an officer without violence, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and was committed to a state mental hospital in July 2023; he was returned to the Alachua County Jail in September 2024, entered a plea of nolo contendere to possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail, with credit for 364 days served, in January 2025.

Judge Donna Keim set bail at $20,000.

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.