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Thursday, May 2, 2024

Former MVP trainer signs up for payment plan in case in which he was tasered at Applebee’s

Justin Flood

A former personal trainer at MVP Athletic Club has signed up for a payment plan in connection with an incident last year in which he was tasered by police in the Applebee’s parking lot.

Justin Flood, 37, and fellow MVP staffer Christi Cornell had been ordered out of Applebee’s on Bichara Boulevard at about 10 p.m. July 25. Lady Lake police were called back to the restaurant at 10:30 p.m. when the pair was spotted back in the parking lot. When officers tried to place Flood under arrest, he refused to obey their commands. It appeared as though Flood had been drinking. Flood then reached into the front seat of a parked car.

Fearing for the safety of himself and others in the parking lot, the police officer fired a taser at Flood. The 6-foot, 190-pound personal trainer “violently resisted” being taken to the ground, an arrest report indicated. The officer was forced to stun Flood a second time. Other police officers arrived on the scene and attempted to restrain and handcuff Flood who continued to resist.

Flood’s attorney had initially bargained for his client to enter into a pre-trial intervention program and perform community service, but that deal was negated after it was discovered Flood had a prior conviction.

On Feb. 6 in Lake County Court, Flood entered a plea of no contest to charges of resisting a law enforcement officer, trespassing and disorderly intoxication. He was assessed a total of $535. Beginning March 5, Flood will be required to make monthly payments of $45, according to court files.

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