Officer has chunk bitten out of head at drug-riddled Florida EDM festival – WTVY
by June 4, 2024HOLMES COUNTY, FL. (WTVY) – An EDM festival in Ponce De Leon led to more than 50 drug arrests and an injured officer.
Sol Fest, a music and arts festival held at Vortex Springs, saw open drug use, including a 17-year-old who was found unconscious from an overdose.
Because multiple people were arrested for drug possessions ranging from mushrooms to cocaine, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office implemented a foot patrol of the venue.
During foot patrol on Monday, an HCSO deputy was attacked by an event volunteer.
James Michael Anderson, the volunteer, assaulted the deputy and attempted to grab the deputy’s gun, per HCSO. The officer sustained serious injuries, including suffering from a chunk bitten out of the back of his head.
Though HCSO made an image of the officer’s injuries available, it is not included here due to its graphic nature.
Anderson was under the influence of PCP, LSD, ketamine, mushrooms and ecstacy when he attacked the deputy.
Anderson continued to fight even after being tased until several other deputies eventually restrained him, HCSO said. He faces charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence.
Along with issues from drugs and violence, two Ponce De Leon schools were closed Monday due to traffic issues that arose from Sol Fest.
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