Man arrested for threatening to stab roommate; he is facing additional charge after sitting naked near a bus stop in May

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Scott Leon Baty, 51, was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening to stab his roommate; he is also facing a charge of resisting an officer after allegedly refusing to put his clothes back on when he was found sitting naked near a bus stop and yelling obscenities at EMTs on May 17.

At about 10:40 a.m. on June 6, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to a home where a witness said Baty had grabbed the victim’s items, and the witness told him to leave the items alone. The witness said Baty grabbed a large silver kitchen knife and said he would cut the victim’s genitals off while pointing the knife at the victim. The witness, the victim, and Baty all live in the house as roommates.

Post Miranda, Baty reportedly declined to make any statements.

Baty is also facing a sworn complaint from an incident on May 17 in which a GPD officer reportedly saw him sitting naked on the ground near a bus stop in the 2200 block of NW 13th Street and yelling obscenities at EMTs, who had requested a police officer because Baty was uncooperative and intoxicated.

The officer reported that he told Baty to put his shorts on, but Baty kept yelling obscenities at the EMTs. Two officers and the EMTs reportedly physically restrained Baty so the EMTs could safely sedate Baty.

After sedating medications were administered, Baty reportedly tried to stand up, and the officer told him to sit on the bench at the bus stop, but Baty reportedly continued yelling obscenities. When officers tried to guide Baty onto the bench, Baty allegedly pulled away and yelled. When officers tried to detain Baty, he allegedly tensed his body, pulled away, and tucked his arms into his body.

The officers took Baty to the ground, and he was eventually placed in handcuffs; Baty reportedly sustained minor lacerations to his forehead and hand in the struggle.

Baty was not arrested at the time because he was placed under an involuntary psychiatric hold.

Baty has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. After the resolution of Baty’s last arrest in Alachua County in 2024, he had four misdemeanor convictions (one violent). Judge Julie Johnson set bail at $15,000 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