Inmate Attacked Deputy, Faces Attempted Murder Charge

By John Majeski

A Land O’ Lakes Jail inmate’s legal troubles just got a whole lot worse. 

New Port Richey resident Joshua Patrick Moore attacked a pair of deputies, authorities said, strangling one with his handcuff chains. Moore, 21, was charged Wednesday, Aug. 7 with attempted homicide and battery on a law enforcement officer. 

According to a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office affidavit, Moore made verbal threats to a male deputy and then grabbed the deputy’s shirt collar. Moore, who was handcuffed in front of his body, then thrust the chains upward against the deputy’s throat,“thus strangulating the victim,” according to the report.

Moore was taken down to the floor. As other deputies came to the scene, Moore struck another deputy in the chest and thigh with clenched fists.

Moore has been in custody since December 2011 for robbery with a deadly weapon or firearm, according to county records. In March 2012, he was charged with contraband in a detention facility.

The battery charge carries at $2,500 bond, while the attempted murder charge carries a $10,000 bond.