Former Reichert House Youth Program Manager accused of assault and battery on law enforcement officer

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Caleb Young, 39, the former Reichert House Youth Program Manager, has been charged via sworn complaint with making threats against a Gainesville Police Department officer at a high school football game.

According to the sworn complaint, at about 10 p.m. on September 21, the officer was in full uniform while providing security at a high school football game at Citizen’s Field. Near the end of the game, a security fence was put up to keep fans away from the locker room and guide spectators toward a western exit.

Young, the parent of a player, reportedly demanded to be allowed into the area by the locker room, and the officer told Young he could not allow him into that area. The officer reported that Young became “very angry,” placed his hands on the officer, put his face a few inches from the officer’s face, and ordered the officer to let him through. When the officer continued to refuse, Young allegedly challenged the officer to meet him in the parking lot, which the officer interpreted as a desire to fight him. Young reportedly told the officer that he was not afraid of him because he carried a gun since Young also had guns. The officer reported that he was in fear that Young would attack him.

A third person, who reportedly heard the altercation from about 40 feet away, stepped between Young and the officer, and another witness reported that Young tapped the officer with his hand and called the officer “soft,” as if to taunt him into fighting. A third witness said the officer repeatedly asked Young to calm down, but Young kept advancing on the officer and “threatening him.”

The complaint alleges that Young left the stadium but found an alternative way into the secured area, where he appeared to taunt the officer by yelling at him, pointing at him, and pointing toward the parking lot. A witness reportedly said that it looked like Young was still threatening the officer and trying to get him to fight.

After he left the stadium, Young reportedly stayed in the parking lot for some time, apparently waiting for the officer. A witness told officers that he tried to get Young to leave, but Young stayed and appeared to be trying to identify the officer’s patrol car.

The next day, the principal of Gainesville High School gave Young a trespass warning for Citizen’s Field; at the invitation of the principal, Young reportedly went to the school to discuss the matter. A witness at the school reportedly told officers that Young was still upset with the officer and “wanted to get him alone.”

The officer reportedly decided to press charges because he is afraid that Young will find him or his family members and do them harm.

Young has been charged with battery on an officer and assault on an officer, both felonies. Young has no criminal history, but in 2007 he was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer; the charges were later dropped with the explanation that appropriate administrative action was deemed sufficient in lieu of prosecution. He was charged twice with passing a worthless check in 2008 and 2009, but the charges were dropped after restitution was made.

A warrant for Young’s arrest has not been issued as of this writing.

The Reichert House program officially ended on May 31, although some summer programs were held. The employees were not guaranteed employment past September 30, although some were able to find other jobs in City government.

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.