Box Cutter Lands Lacrosse Man in Jail

LA CROSSE – Benjamin Iziea Queen, 38, was arrested on Wednesday, May 31, and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony and possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana.

An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to an address in La Crosse at about 10 p.m. after a caller said Queen had threatened him with a box cutter. The victim reportedly told the deputy that he and Queen had been arguing on-and-off all day and that Queen had swung a bat in his direction, threatening to beat him. The deputy reportedly found a bat in the kitchen.

The victim reportedly said that later in the day, Queen had pulled a “box cutter” style knife from his pocket, saying he would cut the victim’s stitches and kill the victim. The victim described the knife as red with a silver blade that Queen extended as he walked toward the victim. The victim said Queen held the knife within an inch of his leg. The victim said he was “in fear of his safety and his life at this time.”

The deputy reportedly found Queen outside the residence and saw a plastic baggie of marijuana in his pocket, which reportedly weighed 24.7 grams. Queen also reportedly had a red folding knife in his front left pocket.

Post Miranda, Queen reportedly admitted becoming “aggressive” during an argument with the victim and admitted that the knife was his but denied threatening the victim with the knife.

Queen has eight non-violent felony convictions and 10 misdemeanor convictions, one of which was violent. He has served two state prison sentences for selling cocaine and burglary, with his most recent release in 2016.

Judge Meshon T. Rawls set bail at $60,000.

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