Hartung Pleads Guilty to Battery on a Person 65 Years or Older

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Jeffrey Hartung Jr. pleaded guilty before trial to two counts of Battery on a Person 65 Years of Age or Older (Domestic). Per the negotiated plea, the Honorable James E. Kallaher sentenced Hartung to serve two years in Florida State Prison followed by two years of probation with specific conditions to complete extensive drug rehabilitation treatment.

On Jan. 26, 2022, Hartung Jr. went into his grandparents’ bedroom demanding a ride somewhere. When his grandparents declined, Hartung jumped on top of his grandfather and attacked him. His grandfather ran into the garage to try to get to his neighbor’s home. Hartung caught up with his grandfather, shoved him against a vehicle, and choked him. The neighbor saw Hartung attacking his grandfather and ran to the house to intervene. Hartung let go of his grandfather and fled the scene. An officer with Clay County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and saw lacerations on the grandfather’s arms. The grandfather was bleeding. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit responded and located Hartung at a nearby facility, where he was detained.

The case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Richard Natto Jr. and Kristen Huether.