USA Pickleball Ambassador Faces Charges: William Leonard Hartig, a 78-year-old pickleball enthusiast known as “Pickleball Billy”, has been arrested on two counts of trespassing in The Villages, Florida. Hartig, a USA Pickleball ambassador, was taken into custody after surveillance footage captured him entering a neighbor’s property on multiple occasions despite a prior trespass order.
Repeated Violations Lead to Arrest
Hartig was caught on surveillance cameras crossing onto a neighbor’s property in the Hallandale Villas in the Village of St. Charles on October 17 and November 27, 2024. His neighbor, a man in his 70s, had formally banned him from the property in April 2024 and even placed small flags in the yard to mark the property line.
Following a review of the evidence, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office forwarded the case to the state attorney’s office, which then issued warrants for Hartig’s arrest.
Arrest and Release
Hartig, originally from Massachusetts, was arrested at his home in the Hallandale Villas on March 5, 2025. He was later released on a $2,000 bond.
Pickleball Figure Now in Legal Trouble
Hartig has been a well-known figure in the local pickleball community, regularly promoting the sport in The Villages, one of the largest pickleball hubs in the country. His reputation as a USA Pickleball ambassador now faces scrutiny as he deals with legal issues stemming from his unwelcome visits to his neighbor’s villa.
News in Brief: USA Pickleball Ambassador Faces Charges
William Leonard Hartig, 78, also known as “Pickleball Billy”, was arrested on two counts of trespassing in The Villages, Florida, after repeatedly entering a neighbor’s property despite a formal ban. The USA Pickleball ambassador was caught on surveillance footage, leading to his arrest on March 5, 2025. He was later released on a $2,000 bond.
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