A man who became violent towards a police officer is now facing 15 years in prison for the
crime. Nathaniel Jackson was found guilty of Resisting an Officer with Violence, Depriving an
Officer of Means of Protection or Communication, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of
Marijuana following a one-day trial in Lee County.
In March of this year, Jackson was loitering in the parking lot in front of a grocery store off of
Palmetto Avenue in Fort Myers. His behavior was indicative of drug activity so a Fort Myers
Police Officer on scene attempted to stop him to question him. Jackson refused to speak with the
officer and initially rode away on his bicycle.
The officer followed in his patrol car and the defendant then jumped off his bicycle and ran into
the store. The officer got out of his car and ran after him. He chased him to the back of the store
and saw the defendant throw a bag of marijuana in the aisle. Jackson then refused the officer’s
commands to show his hands and shielded himself with a shopping cart. He then ran back out of
the store into the parking lot with the officer in pursuit.
Outside the officer apprehended the defendant and a physical struggle ensued between the two.
While the officer tried to get the defendant under control, the officer’s taser dropped. Jackson
grabbed it, then fired it. The officer was not hit. More officers from the Fort Myers Police
Department were now on scene and a K-9 officer was released. With the help of a second officer
and the K-9 they were able to put handcuffs on the defendant. He was searched following his
arrest and crack cocaine was found in Jackson’s pants pocket.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 12th. Assistant State Attorney Michael Curley prosecuted
the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125