Alachua man arrested for threatening to shoot workers on neighbor’s property

Staff report

ALACHUA, Fla. – Jody Allen Meyer, 55, of Alachua, was arrested yesterday after allegedly threatening to shoot workers at a neighbor’s property.

At about 8:40 a.m. yesterday, an Alachua Police Department Officer responded to the area of NW 133rd Terrace and NW 153rd Place in Alachua after a call was received about a possible assault.

The caller told the officer that several of his workers had been confronted by Meyer, who was on his own property about 30 feet away. One of the workers told the officer that Meyer had called the workers “illegals” and told them to return to their own country. The worker reportedly said that Meyer said he would get a gun a shoot him, then made a gun shape with his hand and said, “Bang! Bang!” before rushing inside his house. The worker said he believed Meyer was going inside to get a gun, and he retreated and called his boss, who called law enforcement.

Post Miranda, Meyer reportedly admitted that he had argued with a group of workers and called them “illegals,” but he denied making any threats.

Several workers reportedly filled out sworn statements that corroborated the first worker’s account.

Meyer has been charged with simple assault. He has no criminal history, and Judge Susan Miller-Jones released him on his own recognizance.

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.