Jail detainee charged with aggravated battery after allegedly breaking five bones in the face of another detainee

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dylan Lawrence Duquette, 30, who has been in the Alachua County Jail since April, was charged early this morning with aggravated battery causing bodily harm after allegedly punching another detainee in the face, breaking his nose and four other bones in his face.

At about 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Duquette and the victim were reportedly playing a board game when the victim “nudged” Duquette to get his attention. Duquette allegedly became angry and punched the victim twice in the face. The victim reported that he felt dizzy and could not breathe, so he reported the incident to jail staff.

The responding Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy reported that surveillance video showed the defendant and the victim entering the same room, then the defendant came out first. The victim followed, holding his nose as if it were bleeding.

The victim was transported to a hospital, where a doctor told the deputy that the victim had a broken nose and at least four other fractures in his face; he said the victim will need several medical procedures and may take a long time to recover.

Duquette reportedly told the deputy that he had not punched the victim; he said the victim fell and hit his nose. Post Miranda, he reportedly did not want to answer any questions.

The deputy noted that Duquette’s knuckles were red and swollen as if he had punched someone or something with a closed fist.

Duquette was originally arrested on April 4 and has been formally charged with driving under the influence of drugs, driving without a valid license as a habitual offender, and fleeing at high speed from law enforcement after allegedly driving at an estimated 115 mph on I-75; he is scheduled for a change of plea hearing in that case on July 11. He was charged with hitting his cellmate on May 24, but the charge was later dropped. Judge Susan Miller-Jones added $40,000 to his existing bond on the new charge.

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.