Michael Dee Royalty was found guilty of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Battery
(Domestic Violence), and Resisting an Officer without Violence following a two-day trial in
Collier County.
The defendant was in a car with a woman in a store parking lot and suddenly punched her. She
got out of the car and called 911. A deputy with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded
and found the defendant in the front seat of the car armed with a screwdriver. The defendant
refused to put down the screwdriver or get out of the car.
The deputy tried to take the screwdriver from his hand but the defendant held on to it so tight it
broke in the struggle and he still did not let go. The deputy struck the defendant with his baton as
the defendant punched the deputy multiple times in the arm and chest. Royalty finally dropped
the weapon and was removed from the car and restrained until backup arrived.
Assistant State Attorney Kiely Keesler prosecuted the case. Sentencing is scheduled for February
14th.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125