A Salt Springs man is behind bars for allegedly battering a woman who complained about his alleged continuous drug use.
Brandon Ken Pritchard, 39, was charged with domestic battery after the incident, which happened Tuesday at his home on NE 305th Terrace.
The victim, who also lives at the residence, told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy she confronted Pritchard about smoking methamphetamine and a verbal argument ensued. She said he kicked her in her chest, threw her to the ground, and pushed her face into the ground, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The victim said Pritchard said at one point he would kill her if she left him. The deputy observed bruises on both of the victim’s arms and on her left thigh that she said were caused by Pritchard grabbing her during the altercation. She declined medical attention, the report said.
Contacted by phone, Pritchard denied kicking the victim or pushing her down. He said she came home drunk and accused him of being with other women. Pritchard said he was sitting in his truck when the victim walked over and started a verbal altercation. He said she punched him in the face, then tripped and fell to the ground before walking back inside. Pritchard said he then left the residence, according to the report.
The deputy asked Pritchard if they could meet so he could document Pritchard’s facial injuries and he replied he would never meet with the deputy. He then said he no longer wanted to talk and hung up the phone. Another deputy responded to the residence on Thursday and arrested Pritchard, the report said.
Pritchard is being held in the Marion County Jail on $1,000 bail and is awaiting a July 10 hearing in Marion County Court.