Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Aaron James McRae, Jr., 20, and Kemari Leon Thomas, 18, who are both inmates at the Alachua County Jail, have been charged with battery after allegedly attacking another inmate.
At 3:04 p.m. on September 21, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the jail after a report of a fight between three inmates. The deputy’s investigation found that the victim had been in a previous fight with a friend of the two defendants and the three inmates were allowed to roam the pod freely but told not to enter each others’ cells.
However, Thomas allegedly went into the victim’s cell while McRae stood outside and watched for guards. Thomas allegedly removed his shirt and punched the victim, who wrapped his arms around Thomas and yelled for McRae to come get him. While the victim was holding him, Thomas allegedly head-butted the victim repeatedly, causing the victim’s head to hit the wall “numerous” times.
McRae allegedly entered the victim’s cell, punched the victim, and grabbed the victim in a chokehold; the victim reportedly said that his vision started to go black and he could not breathe. While McRae was holding the victim, Thomas allegedly continued hitting the victim.