A Villager’s 26-year-old grandson convicted in a 2014 stabbing on the Historic Side of The Villages allegedly attacked and broke the nose of a guard Thursday at the Lake County Jail.
Zachary Gonnelli was sentenced earlier this year to 15 years in prison in the stabbing incident. He is being held at the Lake County Jail awaiting trial in another case.
Gonnelli lunged at the guard and punched his face, knocking his glasses to the ground, according to a report from the sheriff’s office. Gonnelli then picked up a chair and was about to throw it at two other guards when the guard that had been punched tackled Gonnelli. The guard was transported to Waterman Hospital following the attack.
Gonnelli had attacked a fellow inmate earlier this year. You can read about that incident HERE
Gonnelli had been living with his grandmother on Aloha Way at the time of the October 2014 stabbing of which he has been convicted. He was accused of stabbing a man with a five-inch kitchen knife. The 33-year-old victim suffered a collapsed lung, lacerated kidney and his spleen had to be removed as a result of the attack.
Gonnelli had posted bond Dec. 11, 2014 at the Lake County Jail and as part of his release, Judge William G. Law had ordered Gonnelli to have no contact with his victim.
While free on bond, Gonnelli was charged in Marion County with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill and aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older. He has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in that case.
Also while free on bond, Gonnelli stole a carton of cigarettes from the Circle K at Southern Trace shopping center in The Villages.
His prior criminal history includes grand theft of a firearm, resisting arrest and battery on a paramedic.