FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Manuel Laguerre was back at the main jail in Fort Lauderdale. He has been in and out of jail for years, but he has never been to prison. That could change with his latest case.
This time Laguerre, 35, stands accused of attempted murder. He appeared in court on Thursday after police officers arrested him on Wednesday in Miramar.
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Laguerre was born in Miami and lives in Miramar. His arrest record in Broward County includes drug court cases when he was 18, and a few domestic violence cases.
Most cases have been dropped. He was 22 when a judge sentenced him to 2-year probation and ordered him to complete therapy over charges of battery and aggravated battery with a firearm.
Before his most recent arrest for attempted murder, Laguerre already had two 2023 pending cases — a felony case prosecutors filed in March with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and a misdemeanor filed in June with the Hollywood Police Department.
According to Deputy Brandon Ortiz’s March 3, 2023 arrest report, Laguerre was driving a gray Acura when he picked up Anthony Sealey, who had just stolen lotions and shampoo bottles from Walgreens, at 6401 West Commercial Boulevard, in Tamarac.
“Laguerre advised he has known Sealey for approximately three (3) years and was called by Sealey to pick him up from the urgent care ... and was asked by Sealey to take him home ... Laguerre stated Sealey asked him to take him to the Walgreens to pick up a prescription,” Ortiz wrote in the report.
BSO deputies didn’t buy it and accused Laguerre of grand theft and accessory after the fact. Circuit Judge Michael Lynch is presiding over the case.
According to Officer Elaine Trujillo’s June 10, 2023 arrest report, Hollywood police officers found Laguerre sleeping in a gray Acura and he refused field sobriety and breathalyzer tests. They arrested him near Washington Street and 58 Avenue in Hollywood.
“I noticed outward signs of possible impairment ... a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath, flushed colored face, bloodshot watery and glassy eyes, droopy eyelids, and he was using the vehicle directly behind him as assistance by leaning on it,” Trujillo wrote in the report.
Law enforcement accused Laguerre of driving under the influence, refusing to submit blood/breath test, possession of open container/vehicle/driver, and improper stop/stand/park. Circuit Judge Robert F. Diaz is presiding over the case.
The details of the attempted murder case were not yet public record Thursday afternoon. Detectives asked anyone with information about this or other cases to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.