Man May Be Smiling But Pasco Sheriff Says Actions Are No Joke

PORT RICHEY, FL — Despite joking around while his mugshot was taken, a 53-year-old man could face serious jail time after being accused of kicking, biting and threatening to kill several Pasco County Sheriff's deputies.

On Monday, deputies said Mark Brienza of Clearwater walked into the Dollar General store at 7540 Ridge Road in Port Richey and asked to use the phone. He then walked out with the store's fire extinguisher.

Deputies located Brienza and the fire extinguisher nearby. When one deputy tried to place Brienza in a sheriff's vehicle, he began jumping up and down and then wrapped himself round the deputy's leg, preventing the deputy from walking properly.

As the deputy released Brienza's grip on his leg, Brienza fell on the pavement and injured his nose.

Deputies took Brienza to Regional Medical Center Baynet Point to be treated for the injury. When they tried to handcuff him to the hospital bed, they said he kicked them, tried to bite their fingers and threatened to kill them.

He was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, resisting arrest without violence, threatening to kill law enforcement officers and violation of probation.