Alachua County Fire Rescue Employee Arrested for Domestic Battery

On October 19, Gainesville Police Department officers arrested Marcus Allanzo Randolph, 30, and charged him with misdemeanor domestic battery. 

Randolph has been employed with Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) for over three years. 

Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton told GnvInfo that Randolph "has not been terminated or placed on administrative leave." Sexton confirmed that Randolph has worked as a firefighter/paramedic since July 2023.

The victim told police that at night she adjusted the temperature on the thermostat because it was cold, angering Randolph. She and Randolph have reportedly been arguing a lot recently and disputes have been getting physical.

After the victim adjusted the thermostat, Randolph reportedly took her phone and refused to give it back as “punishment.” The victim said this was usual behavior for Randolph. The victim and Randolph both went off to sleep in separate rooms.

The victim woke up around 7:30 a.m. and began looking for her phone near where Randolph was sleeping. Randolph reportedly started kicking at her, but the victim was able to avoid his initial attack. Randolph reportedly got off the couch and grabbed the victim by the shoulders. 

According to the arrest report, “The victim tried to get away from [Randolph] but [he] held the victim firm so [she] grabbed the nearby television for leverage to pull away. [Randolph] then pulled the victim back harder and the television toppled over.”

The victim told police that Randolph started throwing her around the room into furniture and a wall several times. “I’m gonna break your jaw,” he reportedly yelled. The victim told Randolph she was calling the police as that usually worked to make him leave. Randolph replied that the police won’t do anything and fled the scene. 

According to the arrest report, “The victim was visibly upset and at many points broke down in tears. [She] had a minor scratch on her back which she did not want to show LEO and complained of back pain from being thrown around the room. The apartment and living room were in disarray and there was a clear sign of a struggle. There were broken plates, knocked over furniture, items had fallen off the wall…”

Ofc. Gregory Meshes reported, “I was able to speak with [Randolph] via phone call and [he] advised… there was no argument and [he] did not know why the police were called. I explained what the victim had said, then [Randolph] told me the argument was about going to Orlando or not and that was all it was. When asked about throwing the victim around and destroying the apartment, [Randolph] stated he did not know how that happened and denied ever striking or touching the victim.”

Randolph met with Meshes at the police station and repeated what he previously said over the phone. He reportedly “added that the victim did not touch him either and that he again had no injuries.”

Randolph reportedly “said the victim must have destroyed the apartment and he did not know why she would do that.”

Judge Adam Lee ordered Randolph to be released on recognizance under the conditions that he not contact the victim and refrain from possessing or using guns, illegal drugs and alcohol. 

Randolph has an out-of-state charge dating back to 2015, his first appearance form shows, but it’s unclear what it was for.