(Citrus County, FL) This morning, 28-year-old Sarah Jeanne Gatke was sentenced to 24 months in the Florida Department of Corrections, followed by 6 years of probation for her 2025 arrest, which resulted in the charges of Burglary of Conveyance with Battery, Felony Battery, and Resist Law Enforcement Officer without Violence. Gatke originally pleaded no contest in an open plea to the court back in November of 2025.

The incident took place on February 19, 2025, around 7 p.m. while driving down Ozella Trail in Crystal River, Florida. Three good Samaritans noticed a white SUV partially submerged in water off the side of the road. Concerned that there might be occupants inside who could drown, they pulled over to help.

The first victim exited their vehicle to assist the female driver, who was later identified as the defendant, inside the flooded SUV. Meanwhile, the second victim stayed in the vehicle with the witness to call 9-1-1 to report the accident.

The first victim tried to assist Gatke by asking if she was okay and if she could walk back to the shore from the waterway. As Gatke approached land, she became angry and began yelling at the first victim, before repeatedly striking the victim. During this physical altercation, the second victim shouted at Gatke to stop hitting the first victim and mentioned that the incident was being captured on their dash camera video. Hearing this, Gatke approached the second victim, who was still seated in their vehicle, opened the door, and repeatedly struck the second victim in the face.

At this time, victim one attempted to intervene when Gatke redirected her attacks back to victim one. During this scuffle, Gatke, who also had her dog with her during the incident, instructed the canine to attack both victims. During the altercation, the dog would go from attacking and biting the victims to biting Gatke.

Eventually, during the struggle, the defendant bit down on victim one’s ring finger, nearly severing the finger, which was hanging on by skin. Hearing victim one’s cries, victim two exited the vehicle to help, leaving the third Samaritan inside on the phone with law enforcement who was enroute. Gatke, upon hearing the sirens of first responders, began to tear off her clothes and yell that the victims were trying to rape her before fleeing back into the water of the canal.

Deputies with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene and obtained statements from both victims, as well as the third witness. Law enforcement located Gatke hiding in the brush by the waterline and took her into custody. Her dog was safely secured by law enforcement.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Elizabeth Colombrito and Kevin Davis.

Published on 02/26/2026.