A Gainesville man found himself behind bars early Monday morning after an unusual domestic incident that he claims was inspired by advice from popular podcaster and UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
24-year-old Evan Trlak was arrested at 3 a.m. and charged with misdemeanor battery following what police describe as an unprovoked attack on his roommate. The incident unfolded in their shared residence when tensions escalated over what Trlak perceived as his roommate’s sedentary lifestyle.
According to the police report filed by Gainesville Police Department Officer Brandon Vidal, the situation began when Trlak became agitated with his roommate, who was peacefully playing video games on the living room couch. When the victim attempted to defuse the situation by putting on headphones and continuing his gaming session, Trlak’s behavior only intensified.
“[Trlak] had been drinking, became irate, and began yelling at the victim,” Officer Vidal documented. “During this time, the victim decided to ignore [Trlak] by putting headphones on and playing games on the living [room] couch. However, [Trlak] kept yelling at [him].”
What happened next surprised both the victim and responding officers. Trlak made his way to the side of the couch and began removing his clothing before launching his attack.
“[Trlak] walked to the east side of the couch, took off his shorts to be in just his underwear, climbed on the couch, and placed the victim in a chokehold from the rear,” the report states. “The victim’s airway was not restricted, and he was able to escape quickly after. [Trlak] then tried choking the victim with his hands, but the victim was able to push him away and create distance.”
When questioned by police after being read his Miranda rights, Trlak provided an explanation that referenced the influential podcast host’s content. His reasoning for the bizarre clothing removal during the incident was particularly eyebrow-raising.
“Post Miranda, [Trlak] stated he removed his shorts to create less friction (per some advice he received from a Joe Rogan podcast) and placed the victim in a chokehold,” Officer Vidal noted in his report.
Trlak went on to explain his motivation for the attack, revealing deep frustration with his roommate’s daily routine. “[Trlak] said the victim has been in the house doing nothing but playing video games and sitting on the couch, which made him upset. [Trlak] stated he wanted to assert his dominance over the victim, so he placed him in a chokehold and took off his pants.”
The victim managed to escape without serious injury, though the psychological impact of the unprovoked assault remains. Fortunately, the victim’s airway was never fully restricted during the attack, allowing him to break free before the situation escalated further.
Following his arrest and processing, Trlak was released from the Alachua County Jail on his own recognizance. However, his release comes with strict conditions, including a mandate that he have no contact with his victim.
