A man accused of fleeing from Ocala police and eventually crashing his car has agreed to a plea deal.
Here's what we know about that and another case addressed at the Marion County Judicial Center the week of Sept. 22:
State v. Brandon Antonio Lee Fillmore
Judge: Circuit Judge Peter Brigham.
Lawyers: Assistant Public Defender Theodore Riquelme and Assistant State Attorney Carla Sue Grant.
Charges: Aggravated assault on law enforcement official; felony flee or attempt to elude police disregard for safety; driving while license suspended or revoked; possession of cannabis with intent to sell or deliver; possession of cocaine.
Reason for court: Change of plea on Sept. 22.
What was the sentence? Eight years in prison with 396 days of credit for time served in the Marion County Jail while
awaiting resolution of this case. Fillmore's driver's license will be suspended for five years. Fillmore, 40, was scheduled for jury selection on Sept. 28 but decided to take a plea bargain instead.
About the case: Fillmore, who is a convicted felon, was accused of hitting an Ocala police officer with his vehicle while fleeing after a traffic violation in 2025. The officer was not injured.
During the subsequent pursuit,with vehicle speed exceeding 100 mph, Fillmore's vehicle struck a utility pole, launching it 100 yards from its original spot, police said. Fillmore was ejected from the vehicle in the 5500 block of Southwest 20th Street. Fillmore was then taken to a hospital for treatment. Police said they found drugs and cash inside the vehicle.
State v. Daniel Nathan Raatz
Judge: County Judge Lori Cotton.
Charges: Two counts of child abuse.
When was Raatz in court? Sept. 24 for first appearance. Raatz, who was arrested on Sept. 23, is on probation for child abuse, harassing phone calls/cause to ring repeatedly, and stalking with evidence of prejudice.
What happened at the hearing? The judge said Raatz cannot have any contact with children younger than 18. Since Raatz already is on probation, the judge denied bail.
What's next? Raatz has two court dates: The first is on Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. to address an alleged violation of his probation terms. The second is an arraignment for his new charges on Oct. 27 at 9 a.m.
About the case: Ocala police said they went to a southeast Ocala address in response to a report that two children had been hit with belts by Raatz.
Raatz, 42, and his wife, Kyndall, were accused of abusing, harassing and ridiculing a Black child and his family in Ocala in 2025.
In April 2025,Daniel Raatz was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation within 60 days and comply with recommended treatment and counseling. Raatz also was required to complete a 10-week anger management course and was forbidden from having any contact with the victim or his parents.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Man accused of leading police on high-speed chase sentenced | Exclusive
