Four Florida teens were arrested last week for the “sickening” beating of a man on May 5.
A video recorded the assault on Juan Carlos Ramos, as stated by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. This video helped authorities in identifying the four individuals responsible for the attack.
Eathan Ryne Simmons, 18; Westlee Austin Davis II, 18; Dalton Ivory Creach, 19; and Robert Frerichs, 17, were arrested, the sheriff said.
Ramos’s wife, Rachel Ramos, reported the incident to the police on Monday night upon his return home. Ramos had not initially reported the assault because he was on probation and was not allowed to consume alcohol. Feeling apprehensive due to being inebriated, he was hesitant to seek help as he feared repercussions, as reported to WFLA.
Ramos told deputies that he was talking to a man at a Mulberry car wash when the four teens attacked him.
Sheriff Judd described the footage of the assault as distressing. Ramos was quickly incapacitated with the initial blow, leaving him defenseless. The assailants then proceeded to relentlessly beat him, unleashing a brutal and relentless attack.
Ramos suffered serious injuries to his eyes, nose, jaw, and teeth.
The four teens were arrested on Thursday, with the 18-year-olds and the 17-year-old charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with bodily harm, and rioting. The two 18-year-olds and the 19-year-old were also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and the 19-year-old was charged with rioting.
The attackers claimed that Ramos said he was a member of the MS-13 gang and that they attacked him because he was “bothering an autistic friend,” Judd said.
Rachel Ramos, the victim’s wife, emphatically said her husband is not a gang member.
“They beat him without mercy,” said Judd. “Jumped on him like a bunch of pack animals.”
“We don’t treat people like that,” the sheriff said. “That conduct’s not acceptable in Polk County.”
Judd added that deputies were trying to identify the supposed “autistic friend” and another male he was supposedly with but have been unable to do so thus far.
