Man charged with threatening bail bonds agents
Austin Russell beat the women last year and says he isn't done with them
TAVARES – A Leesburg man serving a prison sentence for brutally beating two bail bond agents who tried to arrest him last year was brought back to Lake County this week to face new charges of threatening to harm the two after he is released.
According to an arrest report, Austin Levi Russell, 22, was out of jail on bond in early 2017 when it was determined that he violated the terms of his release and the court revoked his bond. Jeannie Hayden of Thumper Bail Bonds in Tavares located Russell to take him back to jail. Hayden managed to partially handcuff Russell, but he reportedly began to beat her and then fled.
Later, Hayden and her adult daughter again located Russell and tried to arrest him, and this time Russell beat them both severely, leaving Kaitlyn Hayden with severe injuries to her head and face. Police arrested Russell a short time later, and he was later convicted of the assault and sentenced to prison.
Some months later, the Haydens received a letter written by Russell while he was still at the Lake County Jail.
"I hope you have dreams about me beating you in the head with my handcuffs, you nasty whore," the letter read. "I want you to know I'll be out soon and know (sic) body will stop me. Smile for me, cuz I'm smiling for you.."
On Monday, Russell was returned to Lake County and charged with writing threats to kill or do bodily harm.