TAVARES, Fla. – The man accused of causing commotion on a public transit bus, who then portrayed some unforgettable poses for the booking photographer, was finally freed for good this week.
Eric John Scott first made it out after serving more than a month, but that didn’t last long.
His trouble started Jan. 17 in Florida when police officers got called to a LYNX park-and-ride bus station.
The report was about a man “wearing sweatpants and an orange beanie, threatening the bus driver and stating that he had a gun on him,” his arrest report said.
Scott walked away but an officer “immediately located” him nearby.
“[I] stepped out of my vehicle and drew my department-issued Glock 47,” the cop wrote, “due to the threat that Eric had allegedly made earlier, regarding him being in possession of a gun.”
Then, “I observed Eric turn around and I witnessed him throw an object from his hands down a hill, in an attempt to not allow me to see what he had.”
Scott was arrested and put in a patrol vehicle.
“Once Eric was secured,” the cop continued, “I walked down the hill to locate what Eric threw, and located an open alcohol container branded ‘E&J 80 proof,’ which was about half empty.”
Another officer tried to speak with Scott but reported, “Eric was obviously intoxicated with bloodshot, glassy, watery eyes and smelling of alcohol.”
He later added, “Eric advised that he threw the bottle of alcohol intentionally, so I could not arrest him for possession of an open container in public, showing that he intentionally attempted to conceal physical evidence of a crime.”
That led to Scott’s only felony: tampering with evidence. He was also charged with assault on a public transit employee and disorderly intoxication.
“Eric had approached the bus as it pulled into the stop,” the driver told authorities, “and immediately began attempting to ‘pry’ the bus doors open with his hands. [She] advised she opened the doors to allow passengers into the bus, and Eric immediately approached the driver seat which she was in, and leaned around her clear partition to separate the passengers from the driver.
“[The driver] advised she told Eric to back up, and as he started to back up, Eric stated ‘if you get off this bus I would beat your a**.’ [She] then stated that as Eric stepped off the bus and stood in the doorway, he told her ‘I have a gun,’ and left soon after.
The officer also reported speaking “with three witnesses on scene who did not wish to identify themselves. They each had separate interactions with Eric at the bus stop, prior to the bus arriving, stating he attempted to take a cell phone from one of them, attempted to take another witness’ bike from him, and continuously harassed the third witness. The witnesses stated they saw Eric yelling at the bus driver, but did not hear exact wording.”
Finally, the officer reported trouble getting Scott’s side of the story.
“Every time I tried to talk to Eric,” he wrote, “he only yelled, screamed, hit his head on my vehicle, and asked ‘am I going to jail,’ rather than engaging in an adult conversation.”
First Appearance Refusal Form, Jan. 18, 2025 by Lenny Cohen on Scribd
Scott didn’t show up in court, the day after his arrest, or sign a First Appearance Refusal Form. His bond was set at $6,500 and he didn’t pay it.
Announcement of No Information, Feb. 3, 2025 by Lenny Cohen on Scribd
He got some good news on Feb. 3, after two-and-a-half weeks behind bars.
Prosecutors decided not to pursue his most serious charge, the tampering. They cited “other legal issues,” and Scott’s case was moved to a misdemeanor court.
Then, three weeks later, he was released in lieu of a lower $1,500 bond, but Scott’s freedom didn’t last long.
After just three days, from Feb. 21 to Feb. 24, the Kwik N Easy “bail bond agent physically surrendered” Scott.
According to his Statement of Surrender Form, the “indemnitor feared he would forfeit bond,” so he was recommitted.
Plea Agreement, March 17, 2025 by Lenny Cohen on Scribd
Scott, 38, returned to court this past Monday, March 17, after another three weeks in jail.
He took a plea agreement and changed his plea to no contest. Then, he was sentenced to time served, and freed again.
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