[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 10/21/20]
LEESBURG, Florida — A confrontation over spreading rumors landed a Leesburg woman behind bars Friday, according to an arrest affidavit.
Serena Marie Campbell, 44, first went to the victim’s job in Leesburg Friday night and requested to speak with her, but felt it might lead to an argument, Campbell told LCSO. She then followed the victim to a local pharmacy and decided she did not feel comfortable speaking with the victim there either, according to the affidavit.
Campbell told the victim she wanted to speak with her in a discreet location and the victim agreed and told Campbell to follow the victim to her home.
Once there, Campbell and the victim had differing stories on what happened next. The victim said Campbell yanked her phone from her hand, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her from the car. Campbell is alleged to have punched the victim on the top of her head multiple times and held a Ruger .380 handgun to the side of her face, according to the affidavit; the victim’s husband then wrestled the gun from Campbell’s hand.
Campbell told the victim to stop spreading rumors and left. The victim’s husband turned the gun — which had a round in the chamber— over to LCSO deputies when they arrived. Both the victim and her husband had visible injuries and refused to be medically evaluated, the arresting deputy noted in the affidavit.
LCSO went to Campbell’s residence and she told a different tale. According to the affidavit, she first said the victim’s husband punched her in the eye, causing her gun to fall from her waistband. She then changed her story and said she confronted the victim about spreading rumors and the victim punched her; her husband then took Campbell’s gun and held it to Campbell’s head, she told LCSO.
After being read her rights, Campbell admitted to possessing the firearm while drinking vodka and club soda at a local restaurant before confronting the victim. She also admitted she pulled the victim from her car while being armed, the affidavit states.
Campbell was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, armed burglary of a conveyance, armed robbery, aggravated assault and simple battery. She is being held in the LCJ on $21,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
