Davie, Florida — A local landlord is facing serious charges stemming from an alleged assault on his tenant following a series of concerning threats made in the presence of law enforcement. Lennie Joseph Dufrene Jr., 58, is accused of attacking the tenant soon after he returned home from a medical facility, resulting in significant facial injuries.
According to police reports, Dufrene expressed intentions to harm his tenant even after being warned by officers that such actions could lead to arrest. The confrontation escalated when Dufrene reportedly struck the tenant multiple times in the face, continuing the assault even after the tenant lost consciousness. The victim was later discovered at a nearby convenience store, where he was taken to the hospital and found to have fractures around his left eye and nose. Dufrene has been charged with felony battery in connection with this incident.
The incident unfolded after police visited the residence to address a complaint made by Dufrene regarding property damage. After assessing the situation, officers recommended an involuntary mental health evaluation for the tenant under Florida’s Baker Act. Upon their departure, Dufrene allegedly threatened to kill his tenant once he was released from the hospital. Though officers cautioned him about the consequences of such threats, Dufrene reportedly revised his statement to indicate he would only beat the tenant.
Upon the tenant’s return to the Davie home, he found that the access code to the property had been altered. Despite his attempts to enter, he was met with Dufrene, who began attacking him as he approached. The tenant described the chaos that ensued, detailing how the assault left him unconscious twice and fearing for his life.
The following day, authorities returned to the scene when employees at a local Wawa reported a man exhibiting severe injuries. Upon arrival, officers recognized the tenant from their earlier encounter with Dufrene. After providing a sworn statement about the alleged attack, the tenant was taken to HCA Florida University Hospital for treatment, where doctors documented his injuries, validating the allegations against Dufrene.
The felony battery charge against Dufrene carries significant legal implications, particularly given the severity of the injuries sustained by the tenant. Under Florida law, felony battery requires that the action results in substantial bodily harm or disfigurement. While the tenant also claimed that Dufrene choked him during the assault, legal records currently reflect the charge primarily as felony battery, rather than domestic battery by strangulation.
In a notable procedural development, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to reassign the case to Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox. This decision followed Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor’s voluntary withdrawal from the case due to a potential conflict of interest involving the victim’s family. The order allows Cox and her team to handle the prosecution of the case over the next year.
The circumstances surrounding the initial police response remain somewhat unclear, with conflicting reports regarding the exact dates of the incidents. Nonetheless, the sequence of events highlights the alarming nature of the case, which began with a landlord-tenant dispute leading to escalating violence and threats.
As this case progresses through the legal system, it emphasizes both the seriousness of tenant rights and the potential consequences of unchecked hostility in landlord-tenant relationships. The upcoming proceedings will determine the validity of the charges against Dufrene and ultimately the result of this troubling incident.