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Florida Couple Charged After Pickleball Brawl Over ‘Kitchen’ Call as Case Moves to Arraignment

Charging documents allege a paddle attack on players over 65, elevating the counts to felonies.

Overview

  • Deputies say a dispute at Spruce Creek Country Club in Port Orange escalated after an alleged non‑volley‑zone violation during a match.
  • An arrest affidavit alleges Anthony Sapienza punched an opponent and struck him with a paddle, causing a laceration above the left eye, and pushed the man’s wife to the ground.
  • A 70-year-old bystander who tried to intervene reported being punched, and witnesses told deputies they saw the paddle strike.
  • Authorities say the couple left the scene and were later arrested at their Ponce Inlet home; they posted bail of $4,500 and $5,000, respectively.
  • Court records list two elder‑battery counts and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon against Anthony and one elder‑battery count against Julianne, with both pleading not guilty as prosecutors plan to proceed and arraignment set for March 3.