What began as a neighborhood nuisance ended with handcuffs after deputies say an Ocala man used his yard sprinklers as weapons against his disabled neighbors.
Antonio Roman, 61, was arrested Sunday, August 17, on a warrant charging him with four counts of stalking, two counts of battery on a disabled person, and two counts of battery.
Deputies say Roman installed surveillance cameras and timed his sprinklers to blast the family next door—specifically targeting two special-needs children as they were loaded and unloaded from their school bus. The harassment reportedly started in August 2024 and went on for months, to the point where the children’s father began wearing swim gear at the bus stop just to shield them.
Detectives conducted surveillance and confirmed Roman’s system was deliberately aimed at the bus stop and activated only when the bus arrived. When confronted, Roman admitted he did it because he didn’t like the bus using part of his driveway for a wheelchair ramp.
After months out of state, Roman returned to Marion County and turned himself in. He was booked into the Marion County Jail.
