Zephyrhills motorcyclist accused of fighting a law officer — again

PLANT CITY — A little more than a year after being released from prison, a Zephyrhills man may have earned a trip back Wednesday.

George Arthur Farmer, 46, of 33805 Palm Grove Road, was riding a motorcycle about 5 p.m. in the area of the McIntosh Road exit of Interstate 4, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Craig Lariz, who was riding a Sheriff's Office motorcycle, discovered that Farmer's cycle was stolen.

Lariz tried to stop Farmer as he exited I-4 at Alexander Street, the Sheriff's Office said, but Farmer rammed the deputy's motorcycle and prepared to fight.

Lariz fought with Farmer and suffered minor abrasions before back-up deputies subdued him.

During a search, deputies said they found thousands of dollars in cash and a large amount of drugs, said Debbie Carter, a sheriff's spokeswoman.

Farmer faces charges of grand theft, possession of a controlled substance and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.

Records show Farmer was released from state prison on Jan. 26, 2011, after serving a year for fleeing law enforcement and battery on a law enforcement officer.