Man Who Referenced Joe Rogan Podcast Advise in Police Interview Appears to Have Absconded While on Pretrial Release

Update | April 20, 2026:

On August 29, 2025, a judge ordered Evan Trlak to be arrested again. According to the judge's order, Trlak "has not contacted court services as ordered by the court." Authorities made attempts to contact him to no avail.

Trlak's case remains open, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrested Evan Trlak at 3 a.m. on August 18, 2025, and charged him with misdemeanor battery.

GPD Officer Brandon Vidal reported the following:

“[Trlak] had been drinking, became irate, and began yelling at the victim. During this time, the victim decided to ignore [Trlak] by putting headphones on and playing games on the living [room] couch. However, [Trlak] kept yelling at [him]. 

[Trlak] walked to the east side of the couch, took off his shorts to be in just his underwear, climbed on the couch, and placed the victim in a chokehold from the rear. The victim’s airway was not restricted, and he was able to escape quickly after. [Trlak] then tried choking the victim with his hands, but the victim was able to push him away and create distance.

Post Miranda, [Trlak] stated he removed his shorts to create less friction (per some advice he received from a Joe Rogan podcast) and placed the victim in a chokehold. [Trlak] said the victim has been in the house doing nothing but playing video games and sitting on the couch, which made him upset. [Trlak] stated he wanted to assert his dominance over the victim, so he placed him in a chokehold and took off his pants.”

Trlak was released from jail on recognizance under the condition he not contact the victim.