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Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ocala man accused of strangling woman who rebutted his sexual advances

Courtney Lamar Cohen

An Ocala man was arrested Saturday night on charges of strangling a woman who spurned his sexual advances.

Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded around midnight to a report of a physical disturbance at a home on Bahia Circle Trail, where the victim said Courtney Lamar Cohen, 37, came home drunk and tried to be “all over her.” She said when she declined his advances, Cohen began to argue and belittle her, according to the arrest report.

The victim said Cohen then wrapped his hands around her neck and restricted her airway, causing her to lose consciousness. She said when she regained consciousness, she grabbed her pepper spray and used it to fend off Cohen. The victim appeared to have abrasions on both sides of her neck consistent with strangulation injuries, according to the report.

The victim said she called her sister to let her know what happened, and Cohen fled the residence when she arrived and called law enforcement. The victim’s sister told deputies she didn’t witness the incident, but she reported a previous incident where Cohen “put his hands on (the victim),” according to the report.

A deputy made contact with Cohen in front of the home and directed him to place his hands behind his back, at which time Cohen started walking at a fast pace to go inside the residence. The deputy deployed his taser to stop him, and Cohen was placed in restraints and placed in the patrol vehicle, according to the report.

Cohen was read his Miranda rights and refused to speak to the deputies. Based on the visible injuries, Cohen was determined to be the primary aggressor and charged with domestic battery by strangulation and resisting an officer without violence. He was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was released Sunday on $6,000 bond. He’ll appear in Marion County Court on May 21.