Suzette Cook
A former security guard at the Newberry Cornfield Maze located at 20015 W. Newberry Rd. was arrested late Friday night (Oct. 16th) on elderly battery charges and is a suspect in the arson case.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office booking office, Matthew Deavitt, 23 of Old Town, was arrested on battery of an elderly person and a suspect in the arson investigation.
According to the arrest report, upon arrival at the Cornfield Maze, ACSO deputies were made aware of a battery that had occurred on the premises. It was determined through witness and victim statements that Matthew Deavitt struck a 71-year-old security guard in the head with a gallon jug of an unknown liquid while being escorted off the property.
Deputies made contact with Deavitt at the Marathon gas station located at 24252 W Newberry Rd., arrested him, charged him with Aggravated Battery on a Victim 65 years of Age or Older, and transported him to the Alachua County Jail.
According to Alachua County Sheriff Office Sgt. Scott Ulrich, Deavitt allegedly attacked the 71-year-old security guard at the maze and then allegedly set a small building on fire.
No injuries have been reported from the blaze.
This is a breaking and developing news story and will be updated as more details are learned.