A Silver Springs man was arrested Sunday night after deputies say he forced his way into a motel room and threatened a woman and her 12-year-old daughter with what appeared to be a handgun.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Sir Charles Anthony faces charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held without bond.
Deputies were already in the area of East Silver Springs Boulevard around 8:20 p.m. when they heard screaming and loud disturbances coming from the Rodeway Inn. When they arrived, they encountered a chaotic scene involving roughly a dozen people.
Witnesses told deputies that a man known as “Charles” was waving a handgun from the second floor of the motel. Several individuals reported that the weapon was pointed in the direction of people below.
Deputies made contact with Anthony, who approached them and asked to be placed in handcuffs. He was detained without incident.
The investigation revealed the situation stemmed from an ongoing dispute involving a missing necklace. Deputies say Anthony and a woman went to a room on the second floor to confront a mother and her daughter.
According to the report, when the conversation ended and the woman attempted to close her door, Anthony blocked it and entered the room. Investigators say he then displayed what appeared to be a black handgun and pointed it at both victims while making threats, including saying he would “light this bitch up” and harm their dogs.
The mother told deputies she grabbed her daughter and attempted to shield her, fearing for their safety.
Surveillance footage reviewed by deputies showed Anthony entering the room and later standing in the doorway holding what appeared to be a firearm. Investigators noted the weapon closely resembled a real Beretta M9 handgun.
Anthony initially told deputies he never removed the weapon from his waistband but later admitted to displaying it after being confronted with the video evidence. He told deputies the weapon was actually a BB gun, which was later recovered from his girlfriend.
According to the report, the BB gun had no visible markings to distinguish it from a real firearm.
Based on witness statements, victim accounts, surveillance footage, and Anthony’s own admission, deputies determined probable cause for arrest.
No injuries were reported.
