County jail inmates charged in beating

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 30, 2000

LAND O'LAKES -- Four inmates at the Pasco County Jail were charged Sunday night with beating up another inmate, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office reported.

Jason Mendiola told deputies that the four men beat him up in his cell about 8:30 p.m. Saturday. A few hours later, Mendiola told deputies, the same four men returned and started punching and kicking him while he was on the toilet, according to reports.

Mendiola suffered bruises on his forehead but was not seriously injured, reports said.

Arrested on charges of battery on an inmate were: Jerry Manfredo, 19, of Brooksville; Reggie D'Antuono, 36, of Port Richey; Robert Kahrs, 21, of Holiday; and Jack Branch, 19, of Zephyrhills.

Jail records show Mendiola is in custody because he was a fugitive from justice from Ohio. It was not clear what prompted the beating.

Manfredo also faces unrelated charges of aggravated battery and burglary, according to jail records.

D'Antuono, Kahrs and Branch are state prisoners who were brought to the jail in Land O'Lakes for court appearances.

Shoplifter slugs, bites store manager

DADE CITY -- A Dade City woman was arrested Sunday night and charged with biting and punching a store manager who tried to stop her from leaving the store, the Dade City Police Department said.

According to reports, Jo Ann Weeks, 38, stole $35 worth of merchandise from the Dade City Winn Dixie, 12649 U.S. 301. As she was walking out with the stolen goods in her purse, the store manager, who is pregnant, tried to stop her.

But Weeks, screaming that she had AIDS, bit and punched the store manager and drove away in a tan Mazda, reports said.

With police in pursuit, Weeks drove a short distance and abandoned her car. She tried to run away, but was captured after a brief chase, reports said.

Charged with aggravated battery and grand theft, Weeks was held without bail at the Pasco County Jail in Land O'Lakes. Jail records show Weeks was a fugitive from justice from Indiana.

Police requested that Weeks be compelled to submit to an HIV test to determine whether she has AIDS or is HIV positive.

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