Man on probation arrested after allegedly raising machete during argument

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Richard Nelson Forte, Jr., 36, was arrested yesterday after allegedly threatening a man with a machete.

At about 5:48 p.m. yesterday, the two victims were having a conversation in the driveway of the female victim’s house in the 1500 block of NE 4th Avenue. Forte reportedly became angry that the male victim was on the property talking to the female victim, and he came outside to argue with the male victim. He then went back inside and allegedly came out with a full-sized machete. He allegedly walked toward the male victim with the machete raised, yelling that he would kill the male victim.

The male victim walked back into the street, pulling out a small folding pocket knife; Forte allegedly slammed the machete into the driveway so hard that it chipped a three-inch chunk out of the concrete. The male victim called 911, and Forte went back into the house.

Forte reportedly hid in the attic but eventually came out in response to verbal announcements over a public address system. A machete was reportedly found in the attic.

Forte is prohibited from being at the female victim’s house with a non-expiring injunction and is also trespassed from that address.

Post Miranda, Forte reportedly said he got into an argument with the male victim and was afraid the male victim would use a weapon against him. He said that when he came back outside with the machete, he saw the male victim reach into his pocket, and he thought the victim was reaching for a weapon. He reportedly said he slammed the machete into the concrete and said, “Do something if you’re going to do it, I’ll kill you.” He admitted that he knew he was not legally allowed to be at that house.

Forte has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting an officer without violence, failing to leave a property after being trespassed, and violating a protective injunction. He has five felony convictions (four violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (one violent) and is on probation for possession of a controlled substance. He has served one prison sentence for aggravated battery on a pregnant victim and was released in December 2018. Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $60,000.

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.