4 teens arrested in violent attack leaving man seriously injured: 'Sickening rage'

MULBERRY, Fla. - Four teens face felony charges after an attack that Polk County deputies call "brutal," leaving a man with serious injuries.

What we know:

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the attack happened shortly before midnight Monday outside a car wash along Church Ave. in Mulberry.

Detectives say 35-year-old Juan Ramos Sr. initially did not cooperate with the investigation before discussing details on Thursday. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Ramos was worried he would get in trouble because he was on probation and shouldn't have been drinking. Judd said Ramos Sr. had left his home after an argument with his wife and needed to cool down.

Ramos Sr. told deputies he was talking to someone moments before the four teens confronted him, then repeatedly punched and kicked him. 

"A friend inside the truck made a phone call who called some friends and said, he's picking on our buddy and immediately four other people showed up," said Judd.

He said he walked back home after waking up, then later ended up in intensive care at the hospital with a broken nose, broken jaw, multiple lacerations, and swelling.

"He was beaten so bad. You might ask how badly was he beaten? How about a broken jaw for starters. How about his teeth are knocked all loose. How about in addition to that, he has lacerations to his orbital sockets. He's got swelling on his torso. He's got a broken nose. All because they jumped on him and beat him without mercy," said Judd.

READ: Horses on Polk County property left for weeks without food and water, owner arrested: ‘Severely malnourished’

Ramos said he was attacked based on a misunderstanding.

"At that age, they know right from wrong," he said.

Investigators tracked down the suspects, who said the victim was "bothering" a friend of theirs who has autism moments before they attacked him.

PCSO says the girlfriend of one of the suspects recorded the beating on her phone. When she got home, her mother saw it and made her daughter call the sheriff's office. 

Deputies arrested the suspects on the following charges:

• Eathan Simmons, 18Attempted second-degree murderAggravated battery with bodily harmRioting
• Attempted second-degree murder
• Aggravated battery with bodily harm
• Rioting
• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
• Westlee Davis II, 18Attempted second-degree murder
• Attempted second-degree murder
• Aggravated battery with bodily harm
• Rioting
• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
• Robert Frerichs, 17Attempted second-degree murderAggravated battery with bodily harmRioting
• Attempted second-degree murder
• Aggravated battery with bodily harm
• Rioting
• Dalton Creach, 19RiotingContributing to the delinquency of a minor
• Rioting
• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor

READ: Softball coach admits to exchanging explicit photos, videos with teen girl: PCSO

Ramos' wife, Rachel, said he did not deserve to be nearly killed.

"They were high-fiving each other and laughing and carrying on like it was a joke to them," said Rachel. "I don't care how old you are. You're a monster." 

Ramos wants the girl who took the video to be charged as well, because he said everyone involved is a danger to the community.

"I hope they never put their hands on anybody ever again," said Rachel.

"It could be your kids or your cousin or friend. Your sister or brother, whoever," said Ramos.

Ramos will need facial reconstruction surgery, and it's too early to tell if he has any brain damage. He expects to be released from the hospital as early as next week.

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