FLORIDA — A Citrus County man has been indicted for allegedly assaulting federal agents with knives, said the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO).
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Phil Henry Taylor, 66, of Homosassa, is charged with forcibly assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon and receipt of stolen government property. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of a two-count superseding indictment on January 9.
If convicted, Taylor faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the assault charge and up to 10 years in prison on the fraud charge.
According to the USAO, on December 12, 2023, Taylor and his stepdaughter, Patricia Clinard, were each charged with one count of receipt of stolen government property. The grand jury superseded Taylor’s indictment, adding one count of forcibly assaulting a federal officer.
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According to court records, between February 26, 2016, and March 2, 2020, Taylor and Clinard are alleged to have fraudulently obtained Social Security benefits from Taylor’s late wife’s account by forging her name on checks.
After the return of the indictment for the receipt of stolen government property, federal warrants were issued for their arrests.
On January 4, 2024, special agents with the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General attempted to arrest Taylor at his home. Taylor, however, reportedly refused to exit, allegedly telling the agents that he would stab them if they entered.
After breaching the front door of the home, the agents said they immediately observed Taylor holding two large knives. Reportedly, Taylor eventually dropped the weapons and was taken into custody.
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An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Norwalk is prosecuting it.
