Palm Coast, Florida – Deputies arrested Ryan McMinn, 47, of Palm Coast, on July 3 after he battered deputies who were pulling him from a snake-and-alligator-infested canal where he had once again fled.

McMinn had originally been the subject of a welfare check and was later found lying on the ground shirtless in front of Wadsworth Elementary School. When a deputy attempted to check on him, he fled on foot.

A short time later, the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received a report from a resident on Whittle Place of a man crawling through a backyard and attempting to climb the side of a house.

Deputies located McMinn near the canal behind the residence and asked if he was okay or needed assistance. Upon seeing deputies, he ran into the canal and began swimming.

Deputies repeatedly ordered McMinn to leave the water, but he refused. As he began showing signs of exhaustion while treading water, two deputies entered the canal to pull him to safety.

When deputies reached him, McMinn pushed and pulled in attempts to get away. During the struggle, he attempted to push one deputy’s head under the water and tried to grab the neck of the other deputy.

Deputies gained control of his arms and safely brought him to shore. He was treated by Flagler County Fire Rescue and transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast, where he was medically cleared.

McMinn was arrested on two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on a $5,000 bond.

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