Holmes Beach police arrested Zolfo Springs resident Kenyiin Lee, 18, March 13 on two third-degree felony charges for alleged battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting police with violence.
An officer responded around midnight to reports of a fight in the parking lot at the Manatee Public Beach, 4000 Gulf Drive, and found a group of people waving him down.
They pointed the officer to two men, including Lee, who were engaged in a struggle.
When the officer attempted to separate the two, Lee pushed him, according to a police report.
The officer tried to subdue Lee and took him to the ground, where Lee landed on his back and began punching the officer.
The officer flipped Lee over and, after backup arrived, they handcuffed him.
The officers contacted Manatee County Emergency Medical Services to evaluate Lee for shoulder and wrist pain.
While awaiting EMS, the officers spoke with the other man involved in the struggle, who told police Lee was intoxicated, had been acting weird and lost his temper at another person, so he was trying to hold Lee back.
The man did not want to press charges.
EMS transported Lee to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton and after Lee was medically cleared, he was transported to the Manatee County jail.
Lee was released the same day without bond into the county’s Pretrial Release Services Program.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges March 14.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, May 3, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.